06 August 2009 - 08H11
US firm closes down factory after French workers beat up boss
US electronics firm Molex Inc said on Wednesday it was temporarily closing its factory in southwestern France, citing security concerns after 40 French workers, angry at facing redundancy, allegedly beat up a visiting American executive.
US electronics firm Molex Inc announced on Wednesday its factory in Villemur-sur-Tarn in southwestern France was temporarily closed down to reassess security after a labour dispute turned violent.
Angry French workers facing lay-offs beat up a senior American executive after he visited the factory, an executive said on Wednesday.
But director-general Markus Kerriou said Doesburg had to be escorted away by bodyguards after he was “really beaten” by about 40 workers.
“A medical examination confirmed the injuries, and we’ve decided to file a lawsuit,” Kerriou told Reuters.
Workers at the factory have been on strike since July 7 over its planned closure but Molex said there would be no further talks over a possible re-start.
A union leader at Molex said only “a few small incidents” occurred on Tuesday night. He did not say whether he was present at the events.
“Essentially, egg-throwing and maybe a light scuffle. But no one was injured,” Guy Pavan, a member of trade union CGT, told Reuters. “Egg-throwing has never caused serious injuries.”
Labour disputes in France, which has a strong tradition of protest, have been escalating over the past few months as the economic crisis forces one factory after another to shut down.
After a spate of “bossnappings” in which workers locked up their bosses, protesters in several towns threatened to blow up their factories unless their demands for better lay-off terms were met.
Industry Minister Christian Estrosi said a scheduled meeting with Doesburg over the future of the unit had to be cancelled because of the director’s injuries.
“(The minister) strongly condemns these acts of violence committed by a minority, which are a disservice to the workers’ cause and make the negotiations even more difficult,” the ministry said in a statement.
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Comments (5)
Taking hostages
Terrorist-style activities have become the norm for French workers - and the companies almost always give in to their demands - so the activity is replicated in other companies. Companies can no longer afford to do business in France. The employees are lazy, spoiled and the social benefits/taxes are too high. Socialism does not work!
Vive la France
Vive la France!
Who would open a factory in France?
Who on earth would open a factory in France if this is how employees behave? Violently attacking management is a great way to drive business out of France. These employees and their unions don't deserve jobs. What complete morons.
French people are used to fight for survivel
I read how Mr. Sarkozy has problems with letters. 'Sarkozy declared to the Constitutional Council a net worth of €2 million, most of the assets being in the form of life insurance policies /who gets money if he dies?/. His yearly salary went from €101,000 to €240,000 (to match his European/French peers)[citation needed]. He is also entitled to a mayoral pension as a former mayor of Neuilly-sur-Seine. He also receives a yearly council pension as a former member of the council of the Hauts-de-Seine department.". The easiest is to accusse Muslims but they do not get anything except troubles if something happens to Mr. Sarkozy.
french workers
Hello french workers ,come to england,our english workers are ignorant and uneducated.our peasants broadcasters and media , grovel and shower our priveleged with complete adoration ,and we are expected to do the same ,they are a gift to our society ,what will we do without them.