US-based construction equipment giant Caterpillar said Thursday it plans to cut 1,400 jobs at its plant in Belgium.
Company officials informed workers at the plant in the southern city of Charleroi, the Belga news agency reported.
Trade unions had expected the company to shed 850 jobs, Belga said. The plant has a workforce of 4,300 and specializes in the production of heavy construction equipment.
Green party leader Emily Hoyos told Belga the planned job cuts should cause a "jolt in the federal government and Europe."
The cuts are the latest to hit Belgium, where US carmaker Ford and steel giant ArcelorMittal also plan to lay off workers. dpa amh bve