An airbus employee wearing a face protective mask is seen ahead of a protest against expected job cuts of about 900 workers outside Airbus’ factory in Getafe, Spain, July 23, 2020. — Reuters pic
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought air travel to a screeching halt, hammering demand for the planes and systems that Airbus produces. The company, which is four per cent owned by the Spanish government, has said it will lay off about 900 workers in Spain as part of cuts of 15,000 jobs worldwide. “We’re protesting because the company, taking advantage of this temporary situation of Covid-19, wants to get rid of 900 workers,” said Jose Luis Collado, who has worked at the company for 41 years.
“For us it’s about defending our rights, defending Spain’s aerospace sector. It needs to be supported,” said Lorena Fernandez, another protester with 11 years at the company.