This Tuesday morning, the retailer Cora announced, during an extraordinary works council meeting, the collective and unilateral redundancy of 1,779 people. The federal Minister for Economy and Employment, David Clarinval, expresses his support to all workers of the seven Cora stores. The minister will meet with the company's management and trade union representatives as soon as possible to urgently examine support and re-employment measures.
David Clarinval: “Such a unilateral dismissal is a social tragedy for all workers affected directly or indirectly. As Minister for Employment, I will ensure that they receive quality support and that their rights are fully respected.”
Launch of the Renault procedure
Economically, Cora Belgium is a significant player in large-scale retail. In 2024, the company recorded a turnover of €571.6 million and employed around 1,810 people, according to its latest annual accounts.
Article 66 of the law of 13 February 1998 (the so-called Renault law) stipulates that “an employer intending to carry out a collective redundancy must comply with the information and consultation procedure set out in a collective agreement concluded within the National Labour Council”. Following this morning's announcement of these mass redundancies, David Clarinval states that he will closely monitor the proper implementation of this Renault procedure.
David Clarinval: “The first phase of information and consultation is a crucial step in social dialogue. Together with the Walloon Government, I will ensure that this phase is scrupulously respected by the company, with a constant commitment to dialogue and transparency. I will quickly contact the Walloon Minister-President and the Walloon Minister for Economy, Employment, Training and Industry, Adrien Dolimont and Pierre-Yves Jeholet. Together we will develop a joint strategy for supporting and re-employing Cora's employees, as well as the subcontractors and self-employed workers indirectly affected by this decision.”
Minister Clarinval to meet the company's trade union representatives and Cora's management
The Minister for Employment will meet with Cora staff representatives and members of management to review the situation, listen to their concerns, and jointly consider the most appropriate support measures for the workers.