Closure of the mobile phone factory in Bochum
EMF examines legal repercussions for Nokia
“The unexpected communication from the Nokia management of the closure of the Bochum mobile phone manufacturing site is a slap in the faces of employees and local people, all of whom had placed their trust in the company” stated Peter Scherrer, General Secretary of the European Metalworkers’ Federation in Brussels today.
Even Nokia’s European Works Council was only informed yesterday morning of the planned factory closure. “According to the information we have received so far, this would represent a blatant violation of the European Works Councils’ directive. We will be examining this from a legal point of view and, should the need arise, Nokia will have to be prepared for legal repercussions and court proceedings” insisted Mr. Scherrer.
The EMF will also be looking into the question of whether European financial assistance for the relocation of production has been or will be guaranteed. The EMF demands that Nokia immediately cancels the scheduled factory closure, the only aim of which is evidently to further increase Nokia’s already excellent profits. Endorsing the demand of the European metalworkers’ unions, Mr. Scherrer stated, “We call on the management to enter into talks immediately with the unions concerned, the national Works Councils and the European Works Council”.
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PRESS 1/2008
The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metal industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.
For further information please contact:
Editor, Peter Scherrer , EMF General Secretary
