Protests are rising in Brussels as Volkswagen (VW), one of the world’s biggest carmakers, faces a tough decision that could affect thousands of workers. People are marching in the streets, worried that a major VW factory in Belgium might close, leaving them without jobs. But that’s just one part of the story. Across Europe, and especially in Germany, VW is struggling to stay profitable, and it may have to slash around 15,000 jobs to survive.

VW’s Tough Choices

Earlier this month, Volkswagen announced some bad news: the company might have to close several of its production plants. For the first time in its long 87-year history, the company may shut down factories in Germany. This drastic step comes as the company faces increasing financial pressure. VW has already missed out on selling about 500,000 cars this year, which is the same as losing the production of two full plants.

Imagine how huge that is! It’s not just about making fewer cars—it’s about losing billions of euros. And to fix the situation, VW might have to do something drastic, like close plants and cut jobs.

Why Is VW in Trouble?

You might wonder, how did such a big company get into this situation? Well, the car industry has been going through major changes. The shift to electric cars is expensive, and there’s a lot of competition from new players like Tesla. On top of that, VW is facing challenges from rising costs and lower sales. It needs to save billions of euros, and fast.

VW bosses have said they need to find ways to save several billion euros to stay afloat. Closing factories would be one way to do that, even though it’s a painful decision for everyone involved. Cutting 15,000 jobs would save a lot of money, but it would also hurt thousands of families who rely on VW for their livelihoods.

Protests in Brussels

As news of possible factory closures spread, workers began to worry. In Belgium, protesters have taken to the streets of Brussels, demanding answers from VW. A factory in the city might be shut down, and that would mean thousands of people losing their jobs.

These protests show just how important these factories are to local communities. People aren’t just fighting for their jobs—they’re fighting for their future. Losing a job can affect not only the workers but also their families, their communities, and even local businesses. That’s why so many people are taking to the streets, hoping to convince VW to change its mind.

Unions and Job Security

In Germany, VW’s home country, the situation is just as tense. The company operates under a system called “Mitbestimmung,” where workers get to elect representatives to the supervisory board. This board helps make decisions about the company, including who gets to be the top bosses and what strategies the company follows. This system has protected workers for a long time, but it might not be enough this time.

VW has already started to back out of a job security agreement that promised no layoffs until 2029. Now, that protection might end as soon as 2025. This means that workers who thought their jobs were safe for years to come are suddenly worried about what’s next.

The Cost of Closing Factories

According to analysts at the investment bank Jefferies, closing some of VW’s factories could save the company a lot of money—around €4 billion (or about £3.4 billion) by the end of the year. That’s a huge amount, and it might be enough to help VW get back on track financially.

But saving money by cutting jobs comes at a high price. Factory closures would mean thousands of people losing their jobs, which could lead to more protests and unrest. The unions, which represent workers, are feeling the pressure to negotiate new deals to protect as many jobs as possible. However, they can only strike over pay issues, not over plant closures or layoffs, unless these are written into contracts.

VW’s Options

The analysts at Jefferies have said that VW might be able to close factories without getting the approval of the supervisory board. This means the company has more freedom to act quickly if it decides that closing plants is the only way to save money.

Right now, VW is looking at closing two or three factories in Germany, but as many as five sites are being considered. This would be a major blow to the workers at these plants and to the local economies that depend on them.

What’s Next?

For now, VW has not made any final decisions about which plants will close or how many jobs will be lost. The company has said it won’t comment on the analysis by Jefferies, leaving many people in the dark about what will happen next.

The protests in Brussels are likely just the beginning. If VW decides to go through with these plant closures, we can expect to see more demonstrations from workers in Belgium, Germany, and other countries where VW has factories.

The Bigger Picture

This situation at VW is part of a larger trend in the car industry. Many carmakers are struggling to adapt to the shift toward electric vehicles, and some are finding it hard to keep up with newer companies like Tesla. This means that more companies may face tough decisions about job cuts and plant closures in the future.

For workers, this is a scary time. Many have spent their entire careers at VW or similar companies, and the thought of losing their jobs is overwhelming. But for VW, these cuts might be necessary to stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry.