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Sudden strikes close several Carrefour hypermarkets

23:10 09/05/2018

Several Carrefour supermarkets around Belgium could remain closed until Monday after wildcat strikes broke out in protest at a company restructuring plan.

In January, the French retail group announced plans for 1,233 job cuts at Belgian stores and the downsizing of several hypermarkets into supermarkets. A meeting between management and unions earlier this week was described by the latter as "stormy".

In Brussels, the Carrefour stores in Evere and Kraainem were closed, while those in Auderghem, Drogenbos and Berchem-Sainte-Agathe were open with a skeleton staff.

Unions have described the spontaneous walkouts as a "warning shot" and have threatened a general strike within the company if discussions do not progress.

Some Carrefour Market stores have also been closed due to strike action - after job cuts were announced at Mestdagh Group, the company that operates the Carrefour Market brand in Belgium under licence.