ArcelorMittal plans to cut 650 jobs in Belgium

NEW DELHI: The World's largest steel maker, ArcelorMittal, on Friday said it plans to slash 650 jobs at its largest plant in Belgium, as part of its cost cutting efforts.

"ArcelorMittal Gent has the intention to reduce the workforce by 650 FTE's in production and maintenance. This is a local action plan of ArcelorMittal Gent, based on existing ideas to reduce cost," ArcelorMittal Gent's spokesperson Jan Cornelis told PTI in an e-mailed statement.

The plan would be implemented in the next three years. The reductions would be in production and maintenance sections at the ArcelorMittal Gent.

Cornelis pointed out that the planned workforce reduction is expected to be implemented in the next three years.

Recently, the steel maker had announced job cuts in Belgium and Germany.

"As many as 750 jobs (450 in Bremen and 300 in Eisenhttenstadt) will be cut in Germany...the time frame has not yet finalised. In Belgium we announced a voluntary separation programme for 800 employees," spokesperson Arne Langner had said.

The company said that the jobs of another 450 employees at its Bremen unit and 300 at the other German plant would be affected temporarily.

However, they will not have to leave the company but will have reduced working hours and can apply for part-time work at the units where they are working now, Langner said.

In Belgium a voluntary separation programme for 800 employees in sales, and general and administrative (SG&A) departments was announced, Langner said.