Spanish Nissan layoffs spark protests

Angry Nissan workers have bombarded the Japanese carmaker’s headquarters in the Spanish city of Barcelona with eggs, bottles, fireworks and stones. More than 2,000 people demonstrated against plan to cut jobs there.

Nissan wants to lay off around 40 percent of its workforce – nearly 1,700 people – this year and next. The unions have accused Nissan of using the current financial crisis as an excuse. The company’s sales worldwide were up in the first half of this year, but it is reducing production at plants in Japan and Britain in response to falling demand.

At the same time Volvo said it is cutting 900 jobs at its Powertrain unit in Sweden: 700 of the workers build engines, gearboxes and other parts for trucks and construction equipment, the rest provide office support. The world’s second largest truck maker is trying to reduce costs following a sharp downturn in sales, particularly in Europe, its biggest market. Volvo had already announced it was cutting nearly 3,500 jobs in its European lorry, heavy equipment and marine engine divisions.

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tags: Economy