Production halted at third site

(JB) Production at a third steel site in Luxembourg has been temporarily halted by ArcelorMittal because of a slowdown in economic activity.

The steel giant announced this week that galvanising line ELO 2, in Dudelange, will halt production from January to March next year. A second line is expected to be run at half capacity.

The measure will result in 12 people being relocated to other production lines. It comes after two other plants, in Schifflange and Rodange, were temporarily closed in September because of a drop in demand. There is also concern for the future of staff at Bettembourg, which plans to axe 46 employees.

Union LCGB said it was not surprised by the announcement. LCGB General Secretary Patrick Dury said: “This is not the first time a line has been stopped at Dudelange, we are not surprised. But, what is alarming is that the economy is slowing down again.”

A series of demonstrations by the European Metalworkers Federation will be held at all ArcelorMittal plants in Luxembourg on December 7. The protests are aimed at showing solidarity with steelworkers and dissatisfaction with employers ArcelorMittal.