Pajottegem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The closure of the Olympia factory in Pajottenland shocked workers, especially in Herne. Tina De Greef (ACV union) criticised Royal Aware for the shutdown, vowing to support workers through the transition.
As VRT News reported, the closing of the Olympia factory in Pajottegem, a region in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, has deeply affected its workers and the community. Tina De Greef from the Christian trade union AC said the news was very hard on the employees.
She mentioned that although some knew the company was having problems, no one expected the factory to shut down completely. The announcement was a big shock, leaving workers confused and disbelieving.
De Greef said that even though workers were supposed to go back to work the next day, many were too upset to return right away. They were also worried about their future because their jobs were now in danger. She mentioned that the emotional impact was made worse by the uncertainty about what would happen next, as workers faced the reality that their ability to earn a living was now at risk.
How will Pajottegem cope with the impact of Olympia’s closure?
According to Mayor Kris Poelaert, it’s a tough blow for the whole community. Tina De Greef pointed out that many workers live in or near Herne, where the factory is a major source of jobs. She mentioned that for some families, the impact is even more personal, as multiple members, like a mother and son, worked at Olympia.
“The Dutch multinational that took over Olympia bears a crushing responsibility.”
Tina De Greef, union secretary at the ACV
According to Tina De Greef, Royal Aware, a Dutch company that bought Olympia, is largely to blame for the factory’s closure. De Greef said the workers are not responsible for the financial problems that caused the shutdown.
She stated that the employees are now losing their jobs, even though it’s not their fault. De Greef mentioned that the workers are suffering because of things they couldn’t control. The union is unhappy with the decision, as many workers are now jobless with no clear options.
Workers are angry and upset about what happened. De Greef said the workers are very frustrated, and many are thinking about showing their anger, maybe even by striking. But she said that might not be the best idea right now. Instead, the union thinks the workers need a good plan to help them during this change.
In the next few weeks, the ACV will talk to Royal Aware to see if they can stop the factory from closing or find another solution. If the factory must close, De Greef said the union will try to make sure the workers get the best possible help, trying to lessen the problems for those who lose their jobs.
