Following the extraordinary works council held this Wednesday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Employment, David Clarinval, has taken note with deep concern of the restructuring plan announced by GSK in Belgium. According to information provided by management, this plan would affect 1,217 jobs. The Minister will pay particular attention to the company's compliance with its legal obligations.
David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Employment: “My first thoughts naturally go to GSK's workers and their families, who are facing an announcement fraught with uncertainty. Our priority must be to preserve as many jobs as possible and ensure that every affected worker is supported. I am asking management to clarify the reasons for the restructuring, its scope and its consequences for the future of operations in Belgium. I expect the company to examine all possibilities for reducing job losses together with workers' representatives, including internal mobility, training and redeployment to other activities within the group.”
The information and consultation procedure must allow for genuine dialogue and the examination of counter-proposals. The Minister will pay particular attention to the company's compliance with its legal obligations. “Workers' representatives must have the information they need to understand the project, discuss it and propose alternatives. This consultation must be able to have a real impact on the outcome. We expect GSK to fully assume its social responsibilities. We will do everything possible, together with the stakeholders involved, to limit job losses and prepare appropriate support where departures cannot be avoided. The future of GSK's operations and expertise in Belgium must be at the heart of the discussions.”
The Minister will propose swift discussions with management and trade unions. He will contact the relevant regional authorities to coordinate responses and, while respecting each party's competences, to mobilise the expertise of the FPS Employment and public employment services.
A signal for our competitiveness
GSK's announcement comes after the sector had repeatedly sounded the alarm. The pharmaceutical industry accounts for 45,000 direct jobs in Belgium and 15% of Belgian exports, worth €73.1 billion in 2025. It also represents €6.1 billion in R&D investment, including clinical trials benefiting our hospitals, doctors and patients.
David Clarinval: “I have already said this several times: if we do not act now, other companies could choose to scale back their operations in Belgium. As Minister for the Economy, I have already taken measures to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector, in particular with the Pharma Boost plan, which simplifies and shortens the procedures for setting medicine prices and thus speeds up their market launch. I have also revived the Observatory of the pharmaceutical industry in order to have an objective view of the sector's situation. Finally, I support the forthcoming Biotech Act, which is essential if Europe is to stay in the global innovation race. It is urgent to take further measures in the fields of health and taxation in Belgium if we want to save Belgium's Pharma Valley. This is also a political signal: Belgium must ensure it remains attractive and preserves the competitiveness of its economic fabric.”