KASBAH - Japanese cable plant Yazaki "will not leave Tunisia and will continue its investments scheduled for 2012, in line with the objectives set by the group during its establishment in Tunisia, more particularly in Gafsa (southwest)," said President of Yazaki Europe Rudolph Horst.
"Yazaki's investment strategy in Tunisia will not change, given the strategic position of the country, compared to other production sites of Yazaki in Europe," said Mr. Horst after a meeting, on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali.
He expressed hope that the security conditions will be restored in 2012 to win back confidence of the group's customers and continue the investment plan in Tunisia under best conditions.
Industry and Trade Minister Mohamed Lamine Chakhari, who was present at the meeting, told the media that Yazaki's strategy will refocus in 2012 on activities of the Gafsa plant of the Japanese group, adding that the "Om Laryes unit will remain closed, until security conditions and stability are restored."
The production site of Om Laryes had closed down last December 20 after un-announced strikes by site employees.
He said that sit-ins and work stoppages resulted in "huge" loses of jobs, pointing out that the group employs now nearly 1,500 persons while estimates of the Japanese cable plant were expecting 3,000 jobs by late 2011.
The Minister said that part of the staff of Om Laryes were transferred to the Gafsa unit to meet the plant's production units, noting the commitment of the group to bear the cost of transport of these employees to the Gafsa site.
"The transfer of a number of employees from the unit of Om Larayes does not mean that there is a guarantee to take all the staff," he noted.
He said that the "Yazaki group promised to make necessary efforts to redress the situation and reach the target of 4,000 jobs by late 2012."
© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2012
