Companies in Catalonia are facing a period of workforce restructuring. These decisions, often made at the start of the year to ensure profitability, impact various multinational corporations, particularly in the technology sector where artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are playing an increasingly significant role. However, not all layoffs can be solely attributed to AI.
Customer service company Majorel, now owned by Teleperformance, is negotiating the dismissal of 347 employees in Catalonia and 422 in Zaragoza, citing losses and the offshoring of jobs. Meanwhile, French multinational Capgemini has reached a preliminary agreement for 700 layoffs across Spain, 130 of which are in Catalonia, attributing this to the impact of AI and sector uncertainty.
Mireia Sabaté, managing partner of the Labor Law Department at Baker Mckenzie, notes that the true impact of AI is still difficult to measure but observes a trend among tech companies to justify restructurings by its implementation. This digitalization and automation result in a "trickle of individual dismissals," according to Sabaté, who urges to "be attentive to the causes that may stem from digitalization or the implementation of artificial intelligence."
Other sectors are also affected. Nestlé, under the new leadership of Pablo Isla, has proposed a redundancy plan in Spain affecting 300 employees, more than half in Catalonia, with a significant impact on the offices in Esplugues de Llobregat. Unions suspect AI and service offshoring play a role, although production roles are also subject to reductions.
Home delivery company Glovo has reduced the figures for its redundancy plan, which initially affected 143 riders in Catalonia. This ERO comes just a year after the company changed its hiring model due to the "rider law." The industrial sector is also undergoing restructuring, such as Nissan, which plans to lay off 125 out of 137 employees at its spare parts center in Catalonia, seen by unions as a disguised closure.
Catalan automotive components multinational Ficosa has proposed a 21% workforce reduction (172 employees) at its Viladecavalls plant, amid the transition to electric vehicles and while seeking new business in the defense industry. Other companies like Internacional Paper have already experienced closures in Valls and Montblanc.
Joan Josep Berbel, partner at consultancy firm Metyis, highlights the paradox of positive macroeconomic indicators while companies face difficulties. The size of many Catalan companies, often suppliers to large multinationals, makes them less competitive internationally, increasing the temptation for closure or offshoring. This explains cases like Quality Espresso, acquired by an Italian multinational, which is closing its production plant in Barcelona.
Different situations involve insolvency proceedings. Serra Soldadures, specializing in the aeronautic and automotive sectors, has filed for administration, and efforts are underway to find a solution for its 180 employees. Ruffini, in Rubí, has also filed for voluntary administration for its 130 employees. In the first two weeks of May alone, approximately 1,400 jobs have been put at risk through publicly announced redundancy plans.
Ernesto Poveda, executive president of ICSA, attributes redundancy plans to geopolitical uncertainty, technological advancements, or management issues, urging for solutions to be "as humane as possible."
