IndustriAll Europe is shocked and outraged by the recent announcement from ArcelorMittal to cut 630 jobs across its seven sites in northern France — a move that represents nearly 10% of its workforce in the region. Worse still, the group argues that total job cuts across Europe could reach as high as 1,400 jobs. This is nothing short of a thunderclap in the skies above European steelworkers.
European steel is in crisis – industriAll Europe has long been campaigning for the European steel action plan which is now on the table. However, it is worth recalling that this decision comes despite historic profits and massive public support received by ArcelorMittal over the years. For years, the group has benefited from substantial state aid in various countries, including where these jobs are being lost. This should have be done with the absolute guarantee that jobs and industrial capacity would be protected but this is the exact opposite that is happening.
Again, we see now massive and abrupt job cuts which put also more pressure on the remaining workforce.
Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll Europe, says: “If public money is used to support private companies, it must come with strong social conditionalities. You cannot take millions in aid and then discard your workforce as if they were disposable. This anoucnement is a pure scandal”.
Furthermore, what ArcelorMittal is doing is not only socially unacceptable but it is a strategic mistake for European industry. Cutting jobs in key industrial regions weakens the entire economic and social fabric – at a time when internal demand is urgently needed. It is a self-sabotage in action.
Kirton-Darling emphasises: “As trade unions, we demand full transparency, a halt to these destructive decisions, and a rethink of how public support is granted, with job protections and long-term industrial strategy at the heart of any deal. We stand in full solidarity with all ArcelorMittal workers affected by this decision. Their anger is justified. Their fight is our fight.“