A new task force will be established with the regions to focus on the re-employment of Audi Brussels workers and the industrial future of the car factory site in Forest.
The announcement was made on Tuesday evening by outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, following a meeting with the unions and management Audi Brussels.
The Audi plant in Forest is set to close for good in February 2025, affecting around 3,000 workers. The negotiations between unions and management for a redundancy plans have so far proved unsuccessful.
According to De Croo, the new task force is expected to be set up early next year and will be led by the regions, particularly the Brussels Capital Region.
At the meeting, unions and management reiterated their aim to conclude their negotiations over a redundancy plan for the workers by Christmas. "That would be good for the workers who are currently in uncertainty and want to know where they stand," De Croo said.
The Federal Government will continue to monitor and evaluate the redundancy plan.
Union representative Jan Baetens from ACV Metea described Tuesday evening’s discussion with the De Croo as "more than meaningful." He emphasised the need for government action on the future of the Audi Brussels site and not to leave it solely to Audi.
Baetens also called for a real debate on possible alternatives and requested that an exception be made for those sent into early retirement (SWT) so they no longer need to remain available for the job market. "These are people who have worked on the production line for 40 years," he said.
Audi Brussels spokesperson Peter D’hoore confirmed that the factory’s management discussed the transition to a new possible use for the site with De Croo. "It was agreed to reconvene after the completion of the information and consultation process and a potential redundancy plan," D’hoore added.
