DaimlerChrysler will cut 700 jobs in Spain by 2009 as part of the US automobile giant’s global restructuring efforts, a company spokeswoman confirmed to just-auto.
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The spokeswoman said that the cuts will be carried out “non-traumatically” through early retirement, incentives or job transfers to Germany.
Daimler needs to step up its per-employee productivity levels and must reduce by that many people to achieve the goal.
Around 100-150 administrative and management-level jobs could go this year, she said, adding that the company has not yet decided how many workers will go from each of its factories.
According to local press, Daimler will dismiss its Spanish president and four general managers and leave only one top executive reporting to Germany.
The commercial division will not be affected, the spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile, big Spanish union Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) demanded that the company explain the exact reasons for the layoffs and said that unions plan to meet Daimler about the issue this afternoon (9 May).
Daimler operates two plants in Spain: a large one in Vitoria and smaller one in Barcelona. Together they churned out 91,008 cars last year, the spokeswoman said, adding that the car giant is on track to produce at least that much this year and intends to maintain its production levels in Spain.
Ivan Castano
