Here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, focusing on the impact of the Cora closures and re-employment efforts:
Key Findings:
* Important Job Loss & Low Re-employment Rate: 1,455 employees were impacted by the Cora closures across Belgium and France. Only 206 (14%) have found new employment.
* Limited Permanent Positions: Of those re-employed, only 83 have secured permanent contracts.
* Delhaize Hiring: Delhaize has hired around 60 former Cora employees, with others finding work at Dreamland and in the broader food trade.
* Layoffs Continue: Since September, 585 layoffs have been reported, and 26 employees have taken early retirement.
* Broken Promises: initial projections of 300 new jobs (with 100 for former Cora workers) by Delhaize appear unlikely to be met. Union representatives report very few Cora workers are being hired at new Delhaize locations.
* Barriers to Re-employment:
* Skills Gap: Many former Cora employees have only a secondary school diploma and lack skills in high-demand trades.
* Language Barriers: Belgium’s multilingual habitat presents a challenge for some.
* Loyalty & Attachment: Many workers had long careers at Cora and struggle with the transition.
* Interview rejections: Former employees report being repeatedly denied interviews.
* Lack of Enthusiasm (from applicants): Some employers report a lack of interest from former Cora staff, despite priority access to positions.
* Retraining Support: A 2,000 euro allowance is available for retraining and skill growth.
in essence, the article paints a picture of a arduous situation for former Cora employees, with a low rate of re-employment, a lack of permanent positions, and significant barriers preventing them from finding new work.
