Both VW and its workers at Forest near Brussels agree the plant has a future, and that a two-week strike should end soon. VW now says the double, or 3000 workers could be retained for a 2009 rollout of the new Audi A1.

The details of the rescue plan emerged after talks between management and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt:

“What’s the most important for us, both local and federal authorities, is the rational approach being taken. What’s important is the production, investment, jobs, and of course innovation and research in a very important sector for our country”, he said.

Verhofstadt’s keen to avoid more job losses in a sector hard hit in the last decade by layoffs and closures at Ford and Renault.

It is hoped over 100 000 A1’s a year could be turned out in the former Belgian centre of Golf production, now being phased out
.
The plan still means 2200 workers will lose their jobs, and it is unclear what happens between now and 2009.

Copyright © 2012 euronews