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 Land, Water And Air Transportation Water Transport 50.10 - Sea and coastal passenger water transport
300 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
4 September 2020
Employment effect (start)
1 October 2020
Foreseen end date
31 December 2020
Description
Color Line, the largest cruise ferry line operator to and from Norway, is reducing its staff by around 300 full-time positions in order to cut costs in response to COVID-19. The restructuring is part of an effort to reduce the company's costs by 250 million NOK (€23,5 million as at 11 September 2020) by the beginning of 2021. Color Line has been hit hard by travel restrictions and disease control measures related to the pandemic, and temporarily laid off 2,000 of its 3,500 employees in March 2020. As of August 2020, the temporary lay-offs still affected around 300 workers, and an additional 100 were notified on 26 August 2020. However, permanent dismissals are unavoidable.
The restructuring is estimated to cost around 50 million NOK (€4,7 million), and will affect employees both on the ferries and on land. The company states that the restructuring will use voluntary job reduction measures as far as possible, and that the process will be conducted in accordance with collective agreements and include deliberations with union representatives. Representative of Norwegian Seafarers Union stated that many are worried and that the news are hard on the employees, but that the union also acknowledges that it is likely necessary for the survival of the company.
Eurofound (2020), Color Line, Internal restructuring in Norway, factsheet number 101679, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101679.
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