The city of Ostend guides Daikin staff to a new job
At the beginning of this week it was announced that Daikin, a company that makes heat pumps and air conditioners, will not offer a new contract to all 600 temporary employees at its facility in Ostend. They keep the permanent employees on board, but they will have to work for 12 days this year. According to Daikin, this is necessary because sales of heat pumps are declining.
Task Force
The Economic House and the Welfare Department of the City of Ostend are now working with the VDAB to look for a job in the region for the temporary employees thrown out by Daikin. Ostend is setting up a task force for this purpose. The city also received a guarantee from the company that despite the canceled jobs, Ostend still fits into its future plan.
“We want to guide employees whose temporary contracts have not been extended as best as possible in their search for a new job,” said Mayor Bart Tommelein. “We do this together with all players in Ostend and Daikin itself – still the largest employer in our city – is also committed to this.”
All partners will look at the individual’s skills, experience and ambition to guide that person into the appropriate job. According to the VDAB, there are 1,200 vacancies in the Ostend district and 700 of them come from the city.