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Thousands Protest Volkswagen Cutbacks in Brussels

Approximately 20 thousand protesters marched Saturday in the streets of Brussels to protest against Volkswagen`s plans to cutback costs in the German automobile manufacturer`s factory in Belgium. Inhabitants of Brussels and union workers from across Europe joined the factory`s 5,000 employees in protest. Among other places, workers came to show solidarity from Germany, France, Italy and Luxemburg.

Two weeks ago, Volkswagen announced it intends to stop manufacturing its Golf model in the company`s factory in Brussels, and downsize the company`s workforce in the city from 5,000 to 1,500. The employees responded with a strike. Volkswagen is Brussels biggest employer. On Friday, after discussions with Belgian Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt, Volkswagen announced it will move the production of the latest Audi model to Belgium, thus saving 3,000 jobs. "We need 100 percent security before we can say everything is all right," He told reporters. "Let us first turn this into reality and celebrate afterward. And not the other way around," he added.

Volkswagen intends to move the production of its Golfs to Germany, demanding the Belgian plant workers increase productivity if they are to transfer the Audi production instead. The plant workers, on the other hand, are demanding guarantees, as they deleborate wether or not to end the strike, which begun on November 17. Belgium`s government is doing its best to protect the country`s automotive industry. 3 years ago, Ford cut 3,000 jobs at its factory in Genk, eastern Belgium. In 1997, Renault closed its factory on the Belgium-France border, causing the loss of 3,100 positions.