Lisle, IL USA – Molex Incorporated, a global electronic components company, today announced it is closing its plant in Villemur-sur-Tarn, France to evaluate its security. This step was taken to help ensure the safety of employees and security of the facility after an employee and two security guards were injured yesterday in a violent incident at the site. They were physically attacked and injured by a group of approximately 40 people who included members of the local Works Council and union representatives.
The employee who was attacked is based in the U.S. and was in France to assist in the negotiations with the Works Council on a social plan related to the proposed closure of the plant. Two French security guards were also attacked and injured and property was damaged.
According to Eric Doesburg, the Molex employee who was one of the victims of the attack, local and national police did not respond to repeated calls for assistance.
“We were attacked as we were leaving the plant late in the day,” Doesburg said. “We knew there was a threat of violence so we had contacted the local police earlier in the day to request their assistance. Members of our French security firm, who were also physically attacked, then made repeated calls to both the local and national police for help but no one responded. We are outraged by both the behavior of the individuals involved in the violent actions and by the lack of response by the police who we called for help.”
Doesburg was seen and treated for his injuries at a local medical clinic. As a result of his injuries, the physician who treated Doesburg prescribed a seven-day medical leave.
Martin P. Slark, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Molex Incorporated, said his first priority at every Molex site is to ensure the safety of employees and to make sure the site is secure.
“We will not compromise on the safety and well-being of our employees,” Slark said. “We are very concerned not only by the violent actions of some employees at this site but by the complete lack of support from law enforcement authorities when people were being physically attacked. This is not acceptable and we are prepared to take whatever actions we think are necessary to ensure both the safety of our employees and the security of our plant.”
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