On November 5, Michelin announced the closure of its Vannes and Cholet factories, impacting 1,254 jobs, while Auchan proposed layoffs affecting 2,389 positions across France. In response, Industry Minister Marc Ferracci pledged support for affected workers and emphasized efforts to facilitate job reclassification. The closures are attributed to declining competitiveness and increased competition from Asia. Concerns were raised about the use of public funds, with calls for job preservation linked to financial aid to companies.
Closure of Michelin Factories and Auchan’s Job Cuts
On November 5, the Michelin group made a significant announcement regarding the shutdown of its manufacturing plants located in Vannes and Cholet. Simultaneously, the retailer Auchan unveiled a proposed social plan that threatens to eliminate a total of 2,389 jobs across France.
Both Auchan and Michelin recently disclosed their intentions to cut thousands of positions, raising concerns about the future of many employees.
Government’s Commitment to Support Affected Workers
In response to these developments, Minister Delegate for Industry, Marc Ferracci, assured that “ample resources” would be allocated to ensure “dignified solutions” for the affected workforce. During a visit to the Liebherr site in Colmar, which specializes in manufacturing tracked excavators, he emphasized the need for support. “Our aim is to protect existing jobs, minimize social plans, and site closures, while also fostering new job creation and investments in our regions,” he stated.
Following the announcements made by Auchan and Michelin, Ferracci indicated that efforts are underway to facilitate the “reclassification” or “reconversion” of the affected employees, helping them secure employment within their local areas.
The closure of Michelin’s factories in Vannes and Cholet, which collectively employ 1,254 staff, was attributed to declining competitiveness in Europe and increasing competition from Asia. Meanwhile, Auchan’s social plan includes the closure of three hypermarkets, with two located in Lorraine. These successive announcements prompted Prime Minister Michel Barnier to question how the two companies utilized public funds that had been allocated to them.
Emmanuel Fernandes, an LFI deputy from Bas-Rhin, expressed his astonishment at Ferracci’s remarks, stating that he had repeatedly alerted him about the critical situation facing two Alsatian automotive subcontractors, Novares and Dumarey. The former is on the brink of closing, while the latter is preparing to lay off hundreds of workers.
“The lack of response from Ferracci is surreal, especially considering the substantial public aid provided to these companies under Emmanuel Macron’s administration,” he remarked. He insisted that such aid should be contingent upon the preservation of jobs, urging Ferracci to prioritize the welfare of employees, who are the backbone of the nation’s productivity, rather than focusing solely on shareholder interests.