GSK Workers in Belgium Denounce ‘Unacceptable’ Cuts
Labor tensions have flared up again at pharmaceutical giant GSK in Belgium, with workers and union representatives expressing renewed anger over what they describe as an “extremely worrying signal” and a “totally unacceptable” situation. The dispute centers on the reorganization of six positions within GSK’s Belgian commercial entity, with unions accusing management of slashing severance terms despite the company’s multibillion-dollar profits.
According to a report by La Libre Belgique, six workers are affected by the reorganization: four positions are being outsourced and two jobs are being eliminated entirely. The union front, comprising ACV Puls, CNE, and CGSLB, has denounced the decision as brutal and unnecessary.
The Severance Disparity
At the heart of the dispute is a stark disparity in severance terms. Previously laid-off GSK workers received a severance coefficient of 1.8 — well above the legal minimum. The current six workers are being offered only 1.0, the strict legal minimum.
“Today, the affected workers are expected to make do with a coefficient of 1.0, which management dares to present as ‘good recognition,’” the unions said in a joint statement. An internal survey cited by the unions indicates that nine out of ten workers consider the situation “totally unacceptable.”
GSK management has described the move as a “small reorganization” within the local Belgian commercial entity GSK Pharma, which employs 180 people. The company maintains that it treats all its entities equally.
A Pattern of Declining Employment
The latest cuts come against a backdrop of steady workforce reduction at GSK’s Belgian operations. According to La Libre Belgique, the social climate at GSK has been deteriorating since at least September 2025, with internal documents showing a clear decline in employment over two years. In January 2026, La Libre reported that 411 positions had disappeared at GSK in Belgium during 2025 through non-renewed fixed-term contracts and voluntary departure plans.
This pattern of job reductions has raised concerns about a strategic downsizing of GSK’s Belgian footprint. The company, which operates major vaccine production sites in Wavre, Rixensart, and Gembloux, is one of the largest private employers in Wallonia and a cornerstone of Belgium’s pharmaceutical sector.
Profits vs. People
Unions have highlighted the contrast between GSK’s financial performance and its treatment of workers. In 2025, GSK reported global revenue of over £32 billion (€37 billion) and profits of nearly £8 billion (€9 billion).
“This choice has nothing to do with economic necessity,” the union front stated. “It is a purely financial decision aimed at preserving margins and shareholder interests at the expense of men and women who have contributed for years to the group’s performance.”
“A company capable of generating billions in profits but incapable of dignifiedly accompanying six loyal workers sends an extremely worrying signal to the entire Belgian pharmaceutical sector,” the unions added.
Broader Pressures on Belgian Pharma
The labor dispute at GSK unfolds against a challenging backdrop for the Belgian pharmaceutical industry. The protectionist trade policies of US President Donald Trump, including threats of 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, have created significant uncertainty for European pharma companies with exposure to the US market.
GSK has also faced previous controversies linked to the US political environment. In April 2025, the company faced backlash for removing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) language from its communications, reportedly bowing to pressure from the Trump administration’s anti-woke stance, as La Libre Belgique reported.
What to Watch For
The immediate question is whether the unions will escalate their actions. With nine out of ten workers expressing dissatisfaction, there is potential for broader industrial action, including strikes or legal challenges. The reduced severance terms represent a significant break from past practice and have eroded trust between workers and management.
For the broader Belgian pharmaceutical sector, the GSK dispute may set a precedent. If the company successfully implements reduced severance terms, other multinationals operating in Belgium could follow suit. Meanwhile, the EU’s proposed Critical Medicines Act and ongoing US trade tensions will continue to shape the landscape for an industry that is vital to Belgium’s economy.