Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Saint-Gobain Cristalería, a subsidiary in Spain of the French producer glass producer for construction and automotive, has announced its intention to close its windshield factory in Avilés (Asturias, Northern Spain), affecting 160 direct jobs. The operations could be transferred to the Kénitra facility, in Morocco, which is close to a booming automotive production area.
According to company sources, the closure process of this division should be finalised during the month of June, once an agreement has been reached with the works council.
The French company blamed elevated manufacturing costs (particularly energy and labour costs) compared to other production facilities in the Mediterranean area (including the Moroccan plant) to justify the decision. The company management understands that the lay-off is the only possible alternative given the lack of activity foreseen from mid-May, as the multinational has pointed out in a communiqué.
Saint Gobain Group already presented in 2022 an employment regulation plan (ERE), which affected about 100 workers Saint-Gobain- 2022-ES
Eurofound (2024), Saint-Gobain Sekurit, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Spain, factsheet number 201061, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/201061.