Tunisia: Leoni Promises Jobs, But Closes its Ezzahra Unit
9 August 2012
Read by 1543 persons
The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) held a press conference yesterday in Tunis concerning the decision by the management of Leoni Tunisia Group, an automotive cable manufacturer, to close its production unit in Ezzahra and transfer its activities to its Messadine plant in Sousse.
The deputy secretary-general of the UGTT in charge of the private sector, Belgacem Ayari, called on the group to reconsider its decision, calling the proposed transfer of employees to its Mateur or Messadine subsidiaries draconian. Belgacem Ayari affirmed the union's willingness to continue negotiations with the Group regarding the preservation of the Ezzahra unit, which employs 600 workers.
For his part, Mohamed Ali Boughdiri, general secretary of the UGTT in Ben Arous, expressed the wish to see the government intervene in this matter and prevent the closure of the unit. He also called on company officials to open up to dialogue to reach a compromise.
According to the general secretary of the company's base union in Ezzahra, the group had been planning the unit's closure for some time, disregarding the achievements and interests of the workers. He denied the existence of any technical or economic difficulties at Leoni Tunisia. The union representative called on human rights organizations, the media and members of the Constituent Assembly to support the employees of this unit.
During the press conference, the regional office of the Tunisian League for Human Rights issued a statement expressing its concern about the situation at the Leoni Group unit in Ezzahra and its unconditional solidarity with the employees.
As a reminder, the general director of Leoni Tunisia Group, Mohamed Arbi Rouis, stated last Wednesday that the drop in production levels and the various difficulties facing the Ezzahra production unit led the general management to propose the transfer of its executives and agents to the production units in Mateur and Messadine.
He added that each employee would be assigned to the same or a similar position in one of the Mateur or Messadine units and would retain all their acquired rights. He stressed that the Leoni Group would cover all housing costs for employees who accept the transfer for one year from the date of their assignment.
Regarding employees who refuse the transfer, the official indicated that the company undertakes to apply the legislation in force to ensure they benefit from all their rights, within a framework of transparency and dialogue with all parties concerned. The official also recalled that dialogue remains open with the union. He indicated that the Leoni Tunisia Group, which plans to expand its cable production unit, has scheduled 1700 new direct jobs before September 2012.
Tunisiait.com
Published on August 8, 2012.
Posted online on August 9, 2012.
The deputy secretary-general of the UGTT in charge of the private sector, Belgacem Ayari, called on the group to reconsider its decision, calling the proposed transfer of employees to its Mateur or Messadine subsidiaries draconian. Belgacem Ayari affirmed the union's willingness to continue negotiations with the Group regarding the preservation of the Ezzahra unit, which employs 600 workers.
For his part, Mohamed Ali Boughdiri, general secretary of the UGTT in Ben Arous, expressed the wish to see the government intervene in this matter and prevent the closure of the unit. He also called on company officials to open up to dialogue to reach a compromise.
According to the general secretary of the company's base union in Ezzahra, the group had been planning the unit's closure for some time, disregarding the achievements and interests of the workers. He denied the existence of any technical or economic difficulties at Leoni Tunisia. The union representative called on human rights organizations, the media and members of the Constituent Assembly to support the employees of this unit.
During the press conference, the regional office of the Tunisian League for Human Rights issued a statement expressing its concern about the situation at the Leoni Group unit in Ezzahra and its unconditional solidarity with the employees.
As a reminder, the general director of Leoni Tunisia Group, Mohamed Arbi Rouis, stated last Wednesday that the drop in production levels and the various difficulties facing the Ezzahra production unit led the general management to propose the transfer of its executives and agents to the production units in Mateur and Messadine.
He added that each employee would be assigned to the same or a similar position in one of the Mateur or Messadine units and would retain all their acquired rights. He stressed that the Leoni Group would cover all housing costs for employees who accept the transfer for one year from the date of their assignment.
Regarding employees who refuse the transfer, the official indicated that the company undertakes to apply the legislation in force to ensure they benefit from all their rights, within a framework of transparency and dialogue with all parties concerned. The official also recalled that dialogue remains open with the union. He indicated that the Leoni Tunisia Group, which plans to expand its cable production unit, has scheduled 1700 new direct jobs before September 2012.
Tunisiait.com
Published on August 8, 2012.
Posted online on August 9, 2012.
