Flanders

Following days of talks, a social plan for Opel Antwerp was drafted on Sunday. The trade unions obviously feel the plan is inadequate, but have left it up to the employees to accept or reject the proposal. The plan comprises a combination of a bridging pension for employees aged fifty and older, and severance packages based on length of service. Employees will vote on the matter at the end of the week. At least 1,250 employees, predominantly staff who accepted voluntary retrenchments, are set to leave at the end of June due to a drop in production.

Should the majority of Opel Antwerp employees accept the social plan, a work group will launch a search for investors for the factory. They have until the end of September to come up with a new owner. If not, the factory will have no option but to close at the end of December. Spurred by the Flemish government, a work group is actively involved in a search for solutions in Asia, which is the most likely region in which to find a takeover candidate. South Korean, Japanese and possibly Indian manufacturers are the only realistic contenders to take over a car factory in Europe at this stage. Most Chinese carmakers feel it is premature to invest in a large European factory at this stage.

Opel Antwerp is not the only group in need of a new owner. Other European factories fighting for survival are also seeking to secure Asian brands. "The Dutch Nedcar employs someone to continually establish contacts," says car consultant Vic Heylen from Fcar.

If Opel Antwerp is taken over by a carmaker or component manufacturer, the employees who keep their jobs will be entitled to one third of their severance package. If they are employed to be involved in activities that are not related to the car sector, these ex Opel employees may keep their whole package.

 Klik hier om op de hoogte te blijven van het laatse nieuws omtrent het Opel Antwerpen dossier.