Paul Fontaine, MD of Verrerie Cristallerie d'Arques (VCA) has expressed serious concern about the effects on his group of the 35-hour week law. VCA, the main employer in the Nord - Pas-de-Calais region with 11,200 employees in Saint-Omer, feels that it cannot take this new constraint on board without running the risk of relocation. This could take the form of a direct transfer of activity to other units in the USA and Spain. The law would have a particularly strong impact at VCA, where labour accounts for 50% of production costs. The management is all the more annoyed as it has never applied for any public aid and is proud of its progressive social policy. VCA's MD has expressed his concerns for the group to local councillors and the prefect, explining that in his estimation the group might lose 1500-2000 jobs if the law were applied forcefully. (whole item)
