Barry Callebaut, a Swiss chocolate company, announced in February that it planned to cut over 500 jobs in Belgium, primarily at its branches in Wieze, Lokeren, and Halle. However, due to changing market conditions such as high cocoa prices until the end of April, the impact now appears to be less significant.
The liberal trade union ACLVB reported that the number of naked dismissals of workers at Barry Callebaut in Wieze and Lokeren has been reduced from 62 to a maximum of 5. Meanwhile, the socialist trade union BBTK stated that the signals are “hopeful” in Halle, where originally 178 of the 480 jobs were at risk.
Initially, discussions were focused on white-collar workers and executives where 250 jobs were threatened. However, the impact in Halle is potentially significantly reduced, but no figures have been provided until a full agreement is reached.
Unions and management will meet again on May 16 with the next works councils scheduled for May 29 and June 6. The discussions are described as constructive in Halle where initially 159 blue-collar and 16 white-collar positions were to be cut. Details are being kept confidential until an agreement is reached.
