1,217 jobs are at risk at pharmaceutical giant GSK in Wallonia the company has announced at a special works council. The cuts will mainly affect managerial and white-collar roles. Blue-collar workers are expected to be spared.
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Over 1,200 jobs under threat at vaccine manufacturer GSK
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The British pharmaceutical giant GSK is one of the largest employers in Wallonia, with sites in Wavre and Rixensart in Walloon Brabant and Gembloux in Namur. The company employs 8,500 people.
1,217 of those jobs are at risk, now that the company has announced its intention to restructure. “These are very large-scale job losses,” says VRT NEWS journalist Steven Rombaut. “Some trade unions had feared a loss of around 800 jobs. But at 1,217, the figure is considerably higher than expected.”
Manual workers spared
The cuts are mainly targeting office staff and managerial roles. 482 office staff posts and 735 managerial posts are to be cut. All those affected are on permanent contracts and will lose their jobs over the next two years. Manual workers will be spared.
The reorganisation affects activities within research and development, production and international support functions. The company says it wants to refocus its resources on the most promising medicines and vaccines. It also aims to streamline its organisation and operate more efficiently and competitively.
Even after the reorganisation, GSK will remain Belgium’s largest employer in the pharmaceutical sector. GSK says GSK Belgium will continue to play a key role within the group.