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.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a multinational pharmaceutical company, has announced a worldwide restructuring measure with direct repercussions for its facilities in Belgium, including globally its biggest centre of vaccine production. The company has indicated its intention to split up its different divisions into separate companies. The vaccine production facility in Rixensart will be automated in the coming years, requiring less employees to maintain production. The company has announced that 720 employee posts are at risk in the announced restructuring as well as 215 temporary posts. The majority of those affected will be white-collar workers. The restructuring measures are alarming as GSK is the largest private employer within the entire Walloon region. Trade unions were aware of the possibility of restructuring and job loss.They are however worried that more dismissals will follow in the future.
Update 30/9/20: At the end of September the company announced that after negotiations with the trade unions (as stipulated in the 'Renault-Law') the amount of dismissals that will ultimately take place have been reduced to 386 instead of 720.
GSK employs around 9,000 people in Belgium.
Eurofound (2020), GlaxoSmithKline, Internal restructuring in Belgium, factsheet number 99738, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/99738.