Paris (AFP)
Airbus announced Tuesday the "temporary suspension" of its production for four days in France and Spain, the time to put in place "strict conditions" of safety to ensure the health of employees facing the epidemic of Coronavirus.
"This will leave enough time to put in place" hygiene, distancing and cleaning measures to ensure the safety and health of employees, "added the group in a statement, adding that it" maximizes working from home as much as possible. "
These measures are part of the containment measures decreed by the Spanish and then French governments in an attempt to stem the epidemic. In France, movement from home to the workplace is authorized "as long as telework is not possible".
Spain is the second most affected country in Europe with 9,191 cases including 309 dead and the government has warned that the containment of the population could last.
The aircraft manufacturer "works with its customers and suppliers to minimize the impact of this decision on operations," he said.
Airbus indicates that these measures will be "implemented at local level in coordination with the social partners". One of the group's unions, Force Ouvrière, had called in a press release Monday for "total containment to protect our personnel and our industry".
Airbus employs 48,000 people in France, where the A320 and long-haul A330, A350 and A380 are assembled in Toulouse, as well as helicopters in Marignane. The aeronautics and defense group also has sites in the Paris region, Saint-Nazaire and Nantes.
In Spain, it employs 2,700 people in Getafe, Toledo, Albacete and assembles military transport aircraft, including the A400M, at its Seville site.
Several industrial behemoths, especially in the automotive industry, have already taken steps to limit or suspend their production.
© 2020 AFP