“We fully understand the effect this announcement has on the Antwerp employees and their families and we sympathize with them,” said Opel CEO Nick Reilly.
“Many have been dedicated to the plant over generations and have done an excellent job producing great quality cars. The decision to announce this today, was not taken lightly; instead, it is the unfortunate result of the current business reality. We must make this announcement now so that we can secure a viable future for the entire Opel and Vauxhall operations.”
Opel's employees or labor unions are yet to make a statement but some of them have already blocked parts of the production facility as part of a protest against the parent manufacturer.
Earlier this year, Opel's employees emphasized that a potential closure of the plant won't be accepted so further protests are expected in the next few days.
"We will never accept the closure of a production centre, nor lay-offs without a social plan," Belgian trade union official Walter Cnop told the protesters in September. "Production must be shared out fairly," he added.
Curiously, Belgium tried to take all the necessary steps to keep the plant open and even offered financial state aid to General Motors in an attempt to protect jobs. However, GM rejected the proposal which, according to some sources, comprised a 500 million Euros funding package.
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