Diegem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Unions CNE and SETCa in Liège warn that WeEngage plans to replace permanent jobs with temporary contracts, risking the loss of 400 jobs. Offices in Diegem, Hasselt, Ostend, and Liège were affected.
As VRT News reported, unions in Liège with offices in Diegem, Hasselt, and Ostend warned over plans by WeEngage, a major call centre company, to replace a large number of permanent workers with temporary contracts. The unions CNE and SETCa have called the plan a “cynical decision.” They say the company is bowing to pressure from clients demanding more flexibility.
What jobs could be cut as WeEngage plans to lay off 400 employees in Diegem and Liège?
The unions report that about 400 jobs could be affected, though WeEngage has not said which sites will face cuts. In Liège, union officials expect major losses and say the region could be hit hard. They fear the change will weaken service quality and lead to a loss of experienced staff.
WeEngage has international branches in the Netherlands, Morocco, Turkey, and Suriname. The company provides customer service for well-known clients such as Telenet, Luminus, and Voo. Management says the restructuring will help the company adapt more easily to changing workloads and seasonal peaks in demand.
The unions reject that explanation, saying it ignores the social cost of unstable work. They are calling on management to open serious talks with worker representatives to protect jobs. If no progress is made, union leaders say they may consider protest actions in the coming weeks.
Originally established as IPG Group in 1999, WeEngage is a call centre company based in Diegem, Belgium, servicing prominent telecom & energy clients. In 2022, the company rebranded under the name WeEngage to reflect its new direction toward Customer experience and digital experience. The company currently employs around 2000 employees.
