Volvo Ghent Strike: 4,000 Workers Idle as Crisis Deepens
A strike at Plasman, a key bumper supplier to the Volvo car plant in Ghent, Belgium, has entered its third day with no resolution in sight, forcing approximately 4,000 Volvo workers onto economic unemployment as production remains at a complete standstill. The dispute, which began on Tuesday, June 2, stems from the confirmed loss of future production contracts and the planned closure of the Plasman Ghent site in October 2026.
Background of the Dispute
Plasman Ghent, a plastics and bumper manufacturer employing around 350 people, has faced mounting uncertainty over its future. The company specializes in injection molding, painting, and sequential assembly of bumpers for both Volvo Cars Ghent and BMW. According to VRT NWS, approximately 130 of the 350 workers are directly involved in Volvo-related production.
The crisis escalated after Plasman lost two key contracts: production for the Volvo EX30 and an upgrade of the XC40 model, both awarded to other suppliers, including OP Mobility in France. Workers had already staged protest actions in April 2026, which were suspended after management promised additional negotiations with a deadline of June 2. When that deadline passed without a resolution, workers walked off the job.
Failed Reconciliation Efforts
A mediation session was held on Wednesday, June 3, under the auspices of the Federal Public Service Employment. The talks lasted several hours but ended without an agreement. Marc Staelens, regional secretary of the ABVV Metaal union, told VRT NWS that “after hours of negotiations, we did not reach an agreement. The strike is therefore continuing. It is now up to management to take the initiative. If it depends on the workers, the strike could continue for a long time.”
No further talks have been scheduled.
Production Impact at Volvo Ghent
The strike has brought Volvo Car Ghent’s final assembly line to a complete halt. As of Thursday morning, five shifts have been cancelled — the night shift on Tuesday, all three shifts on Wednesday, and the morning shift on Thursday. Volvo produces more than 1,000 cars per day at the Ghent facility, and the production backlog will need to be recovered at a later date.
Barbara Blomme, spokesperson for Volvo Car Gent, explained the severity of the situation: “It’s true that our production is completely at a standstill. We are also waiting to see how long this will last. We can’t partially finish our cars and park them temporarily to finish them later. Plasman supplies bumpers and spoilers to us, and those are essential parts of a car.”
Economic Unemployment for Volvo Workers
Approximately 4,000 Volvo workers have been placed on “economische werkloosheid” (economic unemployment), a Belgian system that allows companies to temporarily place workers on unemployment benefits when production is halted due to economic reasons. Workers receive government benefits while retaining their employment contract. This mechanism is commonly used in industries with fluctuating demand or supply chain disruptions.
Union Demands and Worker Sentiment
The core demand from workers and unions is clear: either guaranteed work or a fair social plan. Staelens emphasized that “we have made it clear to management for a long time that work is priority number 1. If that doesn’t come, then a proper social plan is needed. But management cannot guarantee either at this moment.”
The broader frustration among supplier workers was captured in Staelens’ comment to Belgian media: “Suppliers are playthings of large manufacturers. Every model must be produced more cheaply. Otherwise, orders shift to other locations or low-wage countries.”
Broader Implications for Belgium’s Automotive Sector
The strike highlights the fragility of Belgium’s automotive supply chain. Volvo Car Gent is the last remaining car manufacturing plant in Belgium, and its long-term future has been a subject of concern. In 2025, Volvo announced plans to eventually relocate part of its electric vehicle production to a new factory in Košice, Slovakia, prompting the federal government to establish a task force led by Prime Minister De Wever to safeguard the future of the Belgian automotive industry.
The planned closure of Plasman Ghent in October 2026 will result in 350 direct job losses, but the ripple effects extend far beyond. Other suppliers in the region, such as seat manufacturer Adient in Assenede, have reportedly also been affected by the production halt.
What to Watch For
With no new negotiations scheduled, the duration of the strike remains uncertain. Union leaders have indicated that workers are prepared for a prolonged action. Key questions include whether the federal task force on the automotive sector will intervene at the supplier level, and how the production backlog at Volvo Ghent will ultimately be managed. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for other supplier workers facing similar uncertainty in a rapidly transforming automotive industry.