Employees of Apollo Vredestein tire factory in Enschede fear mass layoffs

In the corridors, there is no longer any talk of anything other than a possible mass dismissal. Especially since the highest European director of the Indian owner Apollo Tyres, Benoit Rivallant, is coming to Enschede on Friday to make an announcement, the company confirmed to the regional newspaper Tubantia .

Whether such a large loss of jobs, or in the worst case scenario the closure of the tire factory, is realistic, remains to be seen. "Of course, all sorts of things are going around," says director Monique Daamen of the FNV union to RTL Z. "Usually this is done when something serious is said. It was known that a meeting would take place with the works council."

The Indian Apollo Tyres acquired Vredestein in 2009. The factory in Enschede mainly produces tractor tyres and compact spare wheels, the so-called 'homecomers'.

Five years ago, the tire factory in Enschede underwent major restructuring. At the time, 528 employees were laid off, half of all jobs. The staff that stayed on were given a five-year job guarantee. When that period ended last month, it became clear that sixty jobs would be cut at the factory and that temporary contracts would not be extended.

The FNV trade union says it is very concerned about the continued existence of Apollo Vredestein in Enschede. "The industry is under pressure on all fronts. This also plays a role at Apollo. Five years ago, a factory was established in Hungary. Then you know: it is the beginning of the end," says Daamen.

The FNV director points to a lack of industrial policy in the Netherlands. "If we are also the most expensive in energy because we do not help the industry and add extra CO2 levies on top of that, then companies will not be able to sustain this anymore."