December 03, 2008

French government fighting to keep ArcelorMittal steel jobs

Reuters reported that France will do all it can to save jobs at a threatened ArcelorMittal steel plant and partners may be interested in keeping it open.

Ms Christine Lagarde economy minister of France said that "Our main aim is to maintain employment to ensure people keep their jobs. There could be some partners interested.”

Plans for a partial shutdown of the Gandrange steel factory in eastern France were postponed this year after Mr Nicolas Sarkozy president of France urged owner Mr LN Mittal to reconsider.

But unions said on Sunday the company had made up its mind to shut down part of the factory with the loss of 595 out of 1,100 jobs. They said they had been notified that these plans would be announced to staff at a works meeting on Friday.