Social Plan

The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL), the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB), staff representatives, and the management of Indorama Ventures Mobility Luxembourg signed a social plan on 22 July ahead of the announced closure of the company's Steinfort site. The agreement follows intensive negotiations aimed at securing support and financial guarantees for the employees affected.[1]

The OGBL and LCGB said they remained firmly opposed to the closure and deeply regretted the loss of what they described as a historic industrial site, as well as the consequences for workers and their families. The social plan includes training and professional retraining opportunities, individual support through an outplacement service, and measures intended to help employees find new jobs. The agreement also provides for additional compensation beyond the payments required under Luxembourg law and the applicable collective agreement.[1]

While the signing brings the negotiations to an end, OGBL and LCGB said they would continue to monitor the implementation of the plan. Together with staff representatives, they will sit on a follow-up committee responsible for overseeing the measures and reviewing individual cases.[1]

Earlier this month, 68 dairy farmers left the EKABE cooperative, and the last dairy in Luxembourg closed. The Steinfort site is a different industry, a different story, but the same word: closure. Indorama Ventures makes tyre cord. The site is historic. The unions opposed the closure. The closure is happening anyway. What the unions got is a social plan: training, outplacement, additional compensation, a follow-up committee. What the workers got is a plan to stop being workers. The plan is good. The plan is not a job.[1]