INTERVIEW
In order to save 2 billion euros over three years, the Renault group formalized Friday the loss of 15,000 jobs worldwide, including 4,600 in France where the automaker will close a site. But what is the reason for this massive bleeding within the French workforce? For the CGT delegate of Renault, Fabien Gâche, this is explained by "a financial strategy imposed by Carlos Ghosn since 2004 and validated successively by all governments", he denounced Friday evening on Europe 1.
Employees "used to" such announcements
The announcement of the elimination of several thousand jobs in France shocked the employees, but to believe Fabien Gache, it did not surprise them: "We are used to Renault," he said. "This is the strategy that Carlos Ghosn has used since 2004 and which has led to the reduction of the workforce of 25,000 employees" worldwide, while the former CEO of the group is still being sued by Japanese justice after having fled to Lebanon last winter.
" We produced 1.3 million vehicles in 2004, compared to 650,000 in 2019 ""It is the method which has made it possible to lower French production by more than 50%", continues the trade unionist, supporting figures: "We produced 1.3 million vehicles in 2004, against 650,000 in 2019. This is the continuation and acceleration of offshoring and outsourcing of activity, which would be financed with public funds. "
Promote "the heart of Renault's range"
Today, "the state has absolutely not gone back and continues in the same strategy with the same mechanisms and which will produce the same effects", anticipates the trade unionist. What does the union offer? "If there is to be public money, it must allow investment in its engineering and industrial tool, which would allow Renault to rediscover its core range, to manufacture vehicles like Twingo and Clio, with large volumes. "