The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Transportation / Storage Warehousing And Support Activities For Transportation, Postal And Courier Activities Postal And Courier Activities 53 - Postal and courier activities
330 - 353 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
26 April 2018
Employment effect (start)
1 May 2018
Foreseen end date
30 April 2020
Description
Bpost, the national company responsible for the delivery of national and international mail, has announced the dismissal of 353 employees. The company plans to outsource a part of their activities in catering and cleaning which will lead to a loss of approximately 300 jobs. However additional jobs related to postal services will be lost as well because of ongoing investments in automatisation. The fact that investments in foreign companies did not turn out to be as profitable as expected and the company share value has declined has probably contributed to these decisions.
Trade unions are displeased with the decisions of company management, especially since they feel there is already a shortage of employees (which already has led to strike action being called). On the other hand they expect an increase in demand for package delivery services in the coming years leading to higher workloads. Negotiations with the unions have begun and strikes or other industrial action are being considered.
Sources
26 April 2018: Het Nieuwsblad
27 April 2018: De Morgen
Citation
Eurofound (2018), Bpost, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 93882, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/93882.
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