Paris (AFP)
Finnish telecom equipment maker Nokia on Friday announced plans to reduce the impact of its social plan in France, including the opening of a cybersecurity center in Lannion (Côtes d'Armor) which could create 112 new jobs.
"In parallel, Nokia plans to significantly reduce the total number of job cuts" of the social plan presented on June 22, with "nearly 250 positions" which "could be preserved," said the group in a statement.
On June 22, Nokia announced a restructuring project in France with 1,233 job cuts, including 402 in Lannion (20,000 inhabitants).
This is the fourth social plan since the acquisition in 2016 of Alcatel-Lucent by the Finn.
These projects "currently under study confirm Nokia's strategic vision and long-term commitment to make France a global center of expertise in R&D in the field of advanced mobile networks and new security services. generation ", declares Thierry Boisnon, president of Nokia in France.
Nokia's announcements were immediately greeted by the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, as the government blasted the social plan presented in the summer by the Finnish group and Bercy had since pressured him to review his copy .
This is a "significant advance" which relates to "subjects of the future" (cybersecurity and 5G) supported by the recovery plan, reacts Friday Bercy in a statement.
"The State, in conjunction with local elected officials, remains vigilant in maintaining Nokia's industrial activity in Brittany and Ile-de-France," said Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire.
"I will continue with determination my action alongside the employees and the territories concerned to limit the economic and social consequences" of the social plan, assures Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Industry, who, after the announcement this summer of the social plan planned by Nokia in France, had judged it "unacceptable as it is".
"Thanks to Nokia's unique expertise in France, in terms of development, testing, validation, integration and platforms, the Lannion cybersecurity center would offer unparalleled technological expertise for cybersecurity services, associated with a consulting activity, in relying on a team of highly qualified experts, "said Nokia, specifying that 97 of the 112 jobs created by the cybersecurity center would be based in Lannion.
© 2020 AFP