GSK announces 1,217 job cuts across Belgian sites

GSK, a major pharmaceutical company and one of the largest private employers in Wallonia, has announced plans to cut approximately 1,217 jobs in Belgium. This represents nearly 15 percent of its local workforce across sites in Wavre, Rixensart, and Gembloux. The company cited a structural decline in global demand for certain vaccines and a need to refocus resources on priority projects as the primary drivers for the reorganization.

The announcement has triggered significant unrest. Workers and unions have organized blockades at the Wavre and Rixensart facilities to protest the restructuring, with some calling for zero layoffs. While the cuts target administrative and research roles, the company stated that manual labor staff are not currently targeted.

The situation has also created a tense atmosphere among management. Reports indicate that some executives have been hesitant to speak to the media, citing internal directives to centralize all communications. The legal phase for information and consultation regarding these collective redundancies has officially begun.