47 jobs to go at copper plant

A Luxembourg-based copper manufacturer has announced plans to axe 47 jobs at its plant in 2013.

Circuit Foil, which is owned by steel giant ArcelorMittal, says that the cuts will affect mainly industrial labourers but could also include administrative staff.

The Wiltz-based company currently employs 235 workers at the copper foil plant. The items manufactured there are sold on the Asian electronics market where they used as components for printed circuit boards.

Luxembourg workers' union the LCGB said that staff numbers had already more than halved following the closure of a Circuit Foil plant in Wiltz. Numbers dropped from 500 to 235.

Unions and company managers are negotiating an employment maintenance plan to try to protect staff. Of the 47 jobs to be axed, 19 workers are expected to enter into early retirement. The remainder may be relocated to another ArcelorMittal site in Bissen.