News

Friday, the 29th of January, the three biggest Belgian Trade Union confederations organised a manifestation in Brussels to send a strong signal to the Ministers of employment in Europe. It was a manifestation to ensure employment and social justice in Belgium even in times of the financial crisis. Inymedia, an independent news platform in the Internet, reports about 36.000 participants. (http://www.indymedia-letzebuerg.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42599&Itemid=27)



The Unions also wanted to send a strong sign against the recently announced relocation of work from Belgium to other countries. These relocations have affected amongst others, workers from Opel, Imbev and DHL. The financial crisis is being used by many multinationals as an excuse for restructuring measures and job-cuts.



More than 250 DHL employees also joined the “march for jobs and respect”. For them it was important to send their message of keeping the DHL EUHQ in Belgium and saving the 788 jobs that are affected by DHL's proposed changes. Even managers showed their solidarity with the employees and encouraged them to join the manifestation or participated themselves. The Trade Unions thanked the participants with a special leaflet (which is attached) and informed them about the next planned steps.



The Belgian Trade Unions’ demands:

- Open discussions with DHL management about the alternative business plan worked out by the Unions with an alternative to the closure of the EUHQ

- Clarifications about working conditions and the relocation offer for colleagues willing to move to Bonn, Leipzig or Prague.

- One good social plan for all DHL workers, who will lose their job as a consequence of the restructuring.



UNI supports the demands of the Belgian Trade Unions and is in total solidarity with the colleagues in DHL. We call all affiliated Unions to support them in their struggle.