UK-based pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has presented a restructuring plan covering its three facilities in Belgium to employee representatives. According to the plan announced by the company, the process could affect 1,217 positions.
The plan was brought to the agenda during an extraordinary works council meeting held in Wavre on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. It was reported that the restructuring covers the Wavre, Rixensart, and Gembloux facilities.
In the Belgian operations, where approximately 8,500 people are employed, the cuts are expected to be concentrated in research and development, production, and international support units. According to the current plan, factory workers are excluded from this process.
PART OF A GLOBAL COST-SAVING PROGRAM
It was stated that the company is evaluating 735 management and specialist roles along with 482 other white-collar positions as part of the restructuring. GSK reported that it aims to simplify its organization and direct its resources toward priority areas in its drug and vaccine portfolio.
The decision in Belgium is considered to be linked to the global cost-reduction program announced by GSK in July. The company anticipates saving 1.9 billion pounds annually by 2029, with the total cost of the transformation program projected to be 2.4 billion pounds.
The downsizing plan comes approximately four months after GSK opened a new clinical vaccine laboratory in Rixensart with an investment of 150 million euros. It had been announced that approximately 300 highly qualified employees would work in the 6,000-square-meter laboratory. The company states that this investment and the current downsizing plan concern different areas of activity.
Union representatives, meanwhile, questioned the grounds for the decision, pointing out that the company has benefited from public support. The BBTK union suggested that shifting some production activities to the US is part of GSK's international strategy.
A legal information and consultation process regarding the collective redundancies has been initiated. It is stated that the final number of affected employees may change during the negotiations, which are expected to last until 2028.
News Source: 12punto
