Belgian protesters rally against potential closure of Audi plant
The threat of closing a nearby Audi factory has sparked a massive protest by European automotive industry workers. On September 16th, more than 5,000 people marched through the streets of Brussels.
Potential plans to close the Belgian Audi factory emerged in July 2024. Although final decisions have not yet been made, the threat of closing the plant producing the electric Q8 e-tron appears increasingly severe. Audi employees and other industry representatives took to the streets to voice their concerns.
Over 5,000 people participated in the protest organized on September 16th. As reported by "Bloomberg," more than half of the protesters are associated with Audi, while others joined in solidarity to express concern about the situation in the European automotive industry.
"We also want to send a strong signal to European authorities, which are making things harder for Belgian industry, but also for European industry. The manufacturing industry is mainly migrating away from our countries," said Patrick Van Belle, the chief union representative at Audi.
Protesters carried banners expressing opposition to the influx of Chinese manufacturers into Europe and the EU's climate policy. The Brussels Audi factory, which is under threat of closure, is just one of the European plants in a precarious situation.
"It’s not nice that they have been stalling us for so long. Closed, not closed, closed, not closed. Wage, no wage. It’s not nice you know. I hope something will come out of it," said Katie Vanden Eycken, one of Audi’s employees, quoted by "Bloomberg".
"We are angry," added Aaron Focon, wearing a shirt supporting his father, who worked at the Audi factory for 34 years and now faces the prospect of losing his job. "It’s not normal. The government must wake up and do something."
