British company Unilever to cut 3,200 jobs in Europe

(Patria) - British multinational consumer goods manufacturer Unilever plans to cut just over three thousand jobs in its European offices by the end of next year, a spokesperson confirmed media reports.

- In the coming weeks, we will initiate a consultation process with employees who may be affected by the proposed changes - said the Unilever spokesperson.

The company reported to directors on Wednesday that it would eliminate as many as 3,200 jobs in Europe by the end of 2025, according to details from a teleconference.

London's business newspaper, the Financial Times, was the first to reveal the details, reporting that the jobs would be cut mainly in offices in London and Rotterdam.

The job cuts are an integral part of a productivity improvement program announced in March, which predicted as many as 7,500 layoffs.

- The expected net impact on jobs in Europe from today until the end of 2025 ranges from 3,000 to 3,200 jobs - said Chief HR Officer Constantina Tribou.

- The measures involve the most extensive job cuts at Unilever in decades - emphasized the head of the works council for Unilever's European business, Hermann Soggeberg, in a letter to employees.

The name "Productivity Program" is completely inappropriate, as people who worked and were productive will lose their salaries, Soggeberg added.

CEO Hein Schumacher presented plans in October that are intended to restore investor confidence by simplifying the business after weaker results in recent years.

In addition to layoffs, he also announced the spin-off of the ice cream business, Reuters notes.