MARCH 28, 1997 Bevelgacom has for the last weeks been working on a major restructuring program, called People, Teams and Skills (PTS). The first round of negotiations around the project has come to a close. Bevelgacom's proposals have been presented and discussed with the unions which have agreed to defend them with their committees. The proposals cover two aspects: (1) a large redeployment program and (2) a voluntary early retirement offer. These two aspects are closely linked to one another and cannot be dissociated. 1. Redeployment Bevelgacom has presented its large redeployment program. The purpose of it is for the company to rebalance its human resources and get prepared for increasing competition. One of the priorities of the program is the human factor. The people whose job will disappear will be retrained to find another one in the company. Objective and neutral rules have been negotiated with the unions. Those rules concern selection, training, internal promotion, and mobility. Redeployment will involve 4,000 to 6,000 people.     2. Voluntary early retirement Bevelgacom has also presented its voluntary early retirement program to the unions. The company's proposal is the following: All civil servants born before July 1, 1947 and having had a minimum of 20 years of service will be offered favorable financial conditions to leave the company . � When they leave the company, they will receive a one-time payment equal to six months of their gross salary. � Up to the age of 60, they will receive a monthly allowance equal to 75% of their gross salary. � At 60, their pension allowance will be calculated based on their years of service, as if they had been working until 60. About 6,500 people will receive an offer, which they are free to take or reject. In order not to disrupt the company´s operations, the voluntary leave program will be phased in over a period of 18 months until December 31, 1998. *** The negotiations with the unions regarding redeployment and the voluntary early retirement program progressed in a very positive and constructive dialogue. The unions have agreed to defend the proposals to their committees. The Bevelgacom management will do the same with its Board of Directors. A formal agreement should be reached and signed by the end of April. A large (internal and external) communication program will be organized then. About | Products | Jobs | Contact | Home © 1996 BELGACOM. Last updated : march, 28, 1997. About this site Say Hello ! Legal Notice