Brussels, 07/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - The recent decision of the US Ford motor car producer to begin restructuring at its Belgian factory in Genk, has led to the loss of around 3,000 jobs and a polemic on the presumed breach of the directive on European works committees, as well as non respect for directive on mass redundancies. MEPs at their plenary session on 6 November, held a debate on this sensitive subject: several of them thought that in order to prevent this kind of situation occurring again in the future, European policy was needed that was able to ensure a safe and lasting future for the car industry in Europe.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou (unable to attend), her colleague Franz Fischler, recognised that workers "needed basic security" as a result of adaptation to progress and a dialogue base on transparent information. He explained that the Commission considered that decisions on company restructuring had to be up to the management to find the least damaging solutions for all and strengthen the ability of those who are leaving the company to find jobs. The Commissioner also declared that action was needed in time as well as time for informing workers. Mr Fischler said that participation of workers was essential during restructuring. The Commissioner explained that the directives on mass redundancies, works committees and that on information for worker consultation are as much the norm as those established at a European level for allowing employees to deal with such situations. He also insisted on the role of social partners who have to develop consultation procedures to plan for possible technological developments and help workers find alternative solutions when jobs losses occur. The commission was studying the situation in the car sector, Mr Fischler explained, who also deplored the consequences of restructuring for the workers.
Speaking on behalf of the EPP-ED group, Miet Smet from Belgium considered that the tragedy of the redundancies at Ford Genk illustrated the weaknesses of Member States faced with companies' international strategies. She declared that a concept was need for developing a sustainable automobile sector, as well as for a sustainable car, referring to Asian competition in the sector. Ms Smet was still hoping that the Commission would look at structural funds again with a view to allocations for Limbourg, following the Ford decision. German PES member, Wilfried Kuckelkorn (who was President of the European works committee at Ford for many years) pointed out that all investment in technology led to a fall in employment of between 9% and 25%. He declared that it is important to have "basic protection standards for workers, in such a context. Unfortunately, this does not change the situation for workers at the factory in Genk". Mr Kuckelkorn explained that, "when there is a problem in a company, it is necessary that the European works committee competency corresponds and that workers are able to speak, even though this does not mean co-management". Dirk Sterckx (ELDR, Belgium) highlighted the fact that, "companies had to keep their investment promises". Helmut Markov (GUE/NGL, Germany) thought that the redundancies at Genk, "which are not the first or the last of this kind reflect the way in which companies behave throughout the whole world". Jan Dhaene (Greens/EFA, Belgium) noted that this kind of crisis could be managed intelligently, as for example at Opel where they created the 30 hour week. Karel Dillen from the Vlams Blok (far fight, Belgium), questioned the Belgian government "who already knew of the difficulties of the Genk site (too high employers' labour costs). British Conservative Malcolm Harbour said that "We have a flourishing industry. Come and find out at ours! There is always a way out". He also though that they should invest in "more sombre" cars which would be less expensive. Belgian Socialist Anne Van Lancker asked the Commission if it intended to demand the Ford management to consult the European works committee. Catalan MEP Miguel Mayol I Raynol (Greens/EFA) pointed to the 31 social plans in Catalonia which had put 5,200 workers on the dole. He exclaimed that, "We have to realised that competition with countries from the east today is unbearable, particularly because the costs of skilled labour there are less than ours". Italian Radical, Benedetto della Vedova asked for the creation of " conditions for providing jobs in the sectors of the future and not the past". Bartho Pronk (EPP-ED, Netherlands) said that the Belgian authorities were responsible for the situation of Ford Genk, which was due in part to the way the Belgian social security system worked.
In conclusion, Commissioner Fischler repeated, "Sufficient and early information and consultation is needed for workers, as well as planning for events and assisting employability". He explained that the Commission had still not received complaints from Ford Genk workers and that if there were a violation of the works committee directive, it would be a matter for the Belgian authorities.