Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
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.
IBM, an American multinational technology company has announced the dismissal of 228 of its employees, in its Belgian operations. All of those affected are white collar workers. Plans regarding the restructuring were already announced in March 2016, but it took some time to finalise the terms of the departures ('social plan'). After the triggering of the Renault procedure, subsequent negotiations with the unions led to a small reduction in the job cuts foreseen (from 233 to 228).
The motivation for the plan has been described by the company as a reorganisation of the talent pool to better fit the needs of the clients. Unions describe it as a measure to increase competitiveness. At least half of the dismissed employees will leave the firm voluntarily and the social plan has been accepted unanimously by the employees. The company wants the procedure to be completed by the end of the year.
After this restructuring, IBM headcount in Belgium will be little more than 1200, compared to over 3,000 seven years ago. Unions attribute at least part of this reduction to the offshoring of certain activities to lower-cost destinations such as Poland, Romania and India.
Eurofound (2016), IBM, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 88497, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/88497.