"What we are asking Airbus is to have a target of zero forced departures," said Minister for Industry, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, on BFMTV-RMC, while the group announced a social plan providing for in particular the elimination of 3,500 jobs in Toulouse. 

The government is asking Airbus not to resort to forced departures as part of its social plan which provides in particular for the elimination of 3,500 jobs in Toulouse, Minister Delegate for Industry Agnès Pannier-Runacher said on Thursday.

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"A target of zero forced departures"

"What we are asking Airbus is to have a target of zero forced departures," said the minister on BFMTV-RMC, who is going to Toulouse on Thursday for a trip devoted to the aeronautical sector. "It is a target because social dialogue is needed and social dialogue goes to the end," added Ms. Pannier-Runacher, recalling that the group is facing a drop in its orders with the Covid crisis -19.

Airbus announced in early July a plan to cut jobs which threatens 5,000 jobs in France, including more than 3,500 in Toulouse where the group and its subsidiaries employ 25,000 people. The sites of Saint-Nazaire (nearly 600 jobs lost) and Nantes (nearly 500) are also affected.