French politicians have reacted with fury to incendiary comments apparently made by the CEO of US tyremaker, Titan International, in which he seems to brand the country’s workers as lazy.
Titan chief, Maurice Taylor, wrote to French Economics Redevelopment Minister, Arnaud Montebourg, describing in graphic terms his views on the efficiency of French workers, but the letter has provoked a storm of protest.
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In comments widely reported in France, but unable to be immediately verified by just-auto as Taylor is currently in Florida, the Titan CEO’s views on a possible takeover of struggling Goodyear Amiens Nord in France, are less than flattering.
“I have visited this factory several times,” he is cited as saying. “French workers earn higher wages, but only work three hours. They have a one hour lunch break, talk for three hours and work three hours.
“I said it opposite French unionists, who told me that was how it was in France. You can keep your so-called workers. Do you think we’re stupid?”
Taylor’s supposed remarks have unleashed a fire-storm of protest in France, where politicians have been queuing up to condemn his views in the strongest possible sense.
“The letter, in the first instance, is very insulting to French workers,” a spokeswoman for Montebourg’s Ministry told just-auto from Paris.
“It is extremely impolite…and it is a bit threatening because Mr Taylor says he will [use] Indian workers and pay them EUR1 per hour.”
A host of politicians – former and current – are also taking to French airwaves in droves to counter Taylor’s attack, with former Interior Minister, Claude Geant, noting the American’s reported comments were “unfair and insulting to French workers.”
For his part, former Industry Minister and current mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, said: “That is how we are dragged into the mud by such a negative message we send, to a country that is not capable of innovation and research, despite the talents in the country.
Taylor was not immediately available for contact from Florida.
