Protests against ASML after the announcement of the layoff of 1,700 employees
The CNV union expressed its deep shock at the announcement by ASML, the chip equipment manufacturer in Veldhoven, about the layoff of 1,700 employees, despite the company announcing record revenues last year. The union described the company's explanation for this decision as "completely unclear."
CNV negotiator, Arjan Huizinga, compared ASML to a 'very hungry caterpillar', noting that cash flows are strong and the future looks promising; however, the company felt the need to reduce staff to increase profits. He added that employees, especially in operations management, are seen as an obstacle to focusing on engineering and innovation, which is an unacceptable way to deal with people.
The company stated that the goal of reducing the workforce is to address the issue of "stagnation," as engineers spend a long time on tasks unrelated to innovation, according to CFO Roger Dassen. Currently, more than 44,000 employees work at the company.
Despite this, ASML plans to hire around 20,000 additional employees in the long term, which increases the unions' astonishment. Huizinga pointed out that the company's growth and expansion forecasts contradict its decision to lay off such a large number of employees now.
ASML is in discussions with the Works Council and unions regarding layoffs, while CNV calls for a "comprehensive and fair social plan." For its part, the FNV union believes that the social plan should be simple and clear, noting that the absence of mandatory layoffs is the minimum requirement.
The union rejects the company's claims that the problem lies in structural rigidity, considering that the company itself established these structures, and that it cannot now resort to layoffs while financial performance is strong.