The OGBL has taken several initiatives since the recent announcement by Delhaize Group to franchise all of its 128 integrated shops in Belgium.

A delegation from the OGBL’s Commerce syndicate met with the management of Delhaize Luxembourg on March 13th to discuss the situation and the fate of the shops in Luxembourg. The management assured that the financial situation of the integrated shops in Luxembourg is good, without however being able to guarantee that the decision taken by the group concerning the shops in Belgium cannot be extended to Luxembourg.

The OGBL Commerce syndicate then also met on 15 March with Françoise Malherbe, who is permanent secretary for the commercial sector at the FGTB, the Belgian trade union involved in the fight at Delhaize. The aim of this meeting was to exchange views on the situation of Delhaize shops in Belgium and Luxembourg and to seal an alliance in this fight between the two unions. It should be noted that since the group’s announcement, employees have been holding continuous strike pickets in about a hundred shops on Belgian territory.

It should be stressed that like all companies in the retail sector, Delhaize has emerged as a winner from the crisis. The group, which has chosen to put the future of 9,000 Belgian employees on the hot seat, is not in difficulty.

The OGBL strongly condemns the group’s decision and is far from convinced that it will not one day decide to take a similar step in Luxembourg. Moreover, the OGBL fears that this organized social raid will inspire other retail groups.

The OGBL has started to support the employees by participating in strike pickets, notably at the Delhaize integrated shop in Arlon. The OGBL will continue to support the employees by participating in future actions organized by the Belgian trade unions and will also carry out awareness raising actions in Luxembourg.

Press release by OGBL Commerce Syndicate,
17 March 2023