The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Manufacturing Manufacture of wood and paper materials Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials 16.24 - Manufacture of wooden containers
153 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
24 June 2025
Employment effect (start)
24 September 2025
Foreseen end date
31 December 2025
Description
Obeikan MDF España, SL, manufacturer of MDF packaging for food products, has commenced formal negotiations with the works council and union representatives following its announcement to close the Canet d’en Berenguer plant, a move that would result in the dismissal of all 153 employees. The initial meeting, held on 24 June, marks the beginning of discussions aimed at exploring alternatives to the closure, which trade union CCOO has described as a “social tragedy” for the workers and the local community.
During this first session, the company submitted the full documentation for the employment redundancy file (ERE), which the works council will now examine in detail to formulate counter-proposals. CCOO has called for the direct involvement of the factory director in the talks, citing the importance of preserving dignity in the process.
Should the company uphold its decision to shut down operations, the union is demanding fair severance conditions, particularly given the high proportion of employees over the age of 55, who face greater difficulties in securing alternative employment. Further meetings are scheduled in the coming days in the hope of reaching less disruptive outcomes.
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
The retail banking sector is fertile ground for studying the impacts of digitalisation on work and employment. Financial services are increasingly provided online, without the intermediary of customer-facing institutions.
European labour markets have recovered strongly from COVID-19. By the end of 2021, little more than 18 months after the start of the pandemic, employment rates in the EU were almost at pre-crisis levels.
