Polar announces job cuts affecting 15% of work force

Wroclaw-based white goods producer Polar S.A. says it will lay off 560 of its employees, or 15% of its total work force, by the end of June 2001. Dariusz Sadowski, human resources director at Polar, in which France's Brandt holds almost 95%, says that the company's decision was made based on cost cutting measures prescribed by the new majority owner's restructuring plans. He cited decreased demand in household goods as a second reason for the lay-offs. According to Polar's management, demand for such goods has dropped by 30% during the last several months. In February, the company's trade unions signed an agreement concerning job cuts, under which the majority of employees who loose their positions would be guaranteed compensation, the anount of which would depend on how long they worked for the company. Sadowski said that in light of further company restructuring more job cuts could not be ruled out. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) A.D.