Peter Reniers, a board member of FNV Metaal, describes this round of layoffs as unprecedented, despite his extensive experience on this topic. ASML continues its high performance with strong annual figures, yet significant cuts are being made to the organisation.
‘No forced layoffs’
Reniers believes ASML must take responsibility to prevent employees from being forced out immediately. “ASML is doing well. The company has the means and the financial capacity to redeploy people internally. We do not want forced layoffs. Use natural attrition, for example, employees nearing retirement, or put arrangements in place so staff can find work elsewhere.”
Timing
According to ASML, the job cuts are necessary to make the organisation more agile and reduce bureaucracy. Reniers understands that ambition, but questions why the company did not act sooner. “If you see something like this coming, you anticipate it earlier. The timing is extremely poor.” He also believes the tech giant should look inward. “ASML created this bureaucracy itself. You can’t then punish employees for that policy.”
‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’
Trade union CNV shares FNV’s surprise and concern. “ASML itself says it expects strong growth in the coming years and plans to expand its workforce in the long run. I can’t reconcile that with laying off so many people at the same time,” said Arjan Huizinga of CNV. “Money is sloshing around. The outlook is excellent. In an attempt to increase profits, the company now wants to ‘streamline’ operations. That’s not how you treat people. It reminds me very much of the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”
Bureaucracy
ASML maintains that the layoffs are needed because internal middle management has grown too large, with the cuts mainly affecting management positions. “Engineers are currently unable to focus sufficiently on the tasks they were hired for. We want to organise the company better, with less bureaucracy, so that we can be more agile,” a spokesperson said. The trade unions are scheduled to meet with ASML representatives later this Wednesday afternoon.
