The Luxembourg-based company said it would cut down on steelmaking operations at plants in France and Germany and extend a planned stoppage in Spain. The cuts follow a May 6 announcement to idle and minimise production at plants in Poland and Spain accordingly.

 

ArcelorMittal said the production cuts were short-term and did not address in detail the question of job cuts.

 

'Our employees remain our utmost priority and we are doing everything we can to ensure that the right social measures are in place to support them and their families during this difficult time,' the company reported.

 

The cuts are the latest grim reports for steel producers. Last week, British Steel was ordered into liquidation. On May 10, German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp said it would most likely cut 6,000 jobs on the expectation that its joint venture with India's Tata Steel would be blocked by regulators.

 

This article is originally posted on TRONSERVE.COM