Most employees at BelGan, the bankrupt Belgian chip manufacturer, wish to continue their roles within the business, according to Christian trade union (ACV-CSC).
On Wednesday, over 200 staff members gathered at the Oudenaarde site in Flanders to hear the liquidator’s update, following the company's bankruptcy announcement last week which threatens the jobs of over 400 staff.
Union representative Thomas Beeckmans confirmed the ongoing discussions with potential buyers who express genuine interest in retaining staff, subject to an agreement. "This information was confirmed yesterday and unofficially disclosed to the staff today," the CSC revealed about the meeting.
"The employees are pleased with this news," the union representative commented, "Many genuinely hope for the continuation of BelGan."
The firm experienced financial struggles after investing in gallium nitride (GaN) chips – a promising but hard-to-commercialise technology that is more energy-efficient than traditional silicon chips. A slow shift to this technology, paired with cash flow issues, led to the company’s downfall.
"Onsemi sold the company to new shareholders a few years ago," explained Beeckmans. "These new shareholders bet on this new technology. They collaborated with Onsemi for some time, but that era has long ended."
The bankruptcy announcement caused concerns among employees over salary payments. The union reassured staff by affirming that most wages had been paid, leaving minor points regarding the final days of the pay period to be clarified.
Regarding future salaries, which come under the liquidator’s jurisdiction, Beeckmans has provided more reassurances. Legal salary guarantee schemes can be implemented.
"The liquidators have been asked to prioritise a solution that preserves the job of as many employees as possible. We are sure that human capital is a major asset for the future of the plant," the trade unionist concluded.
