Molex closes French plant after injury

U.S. electronics supplier Molex said it would close a factory in France temporarily after a strike-related injury to its development director, Eric Doesburg.

The company said striking workers kicked and punched Doesburg, who was walking with a cane due to recent knee surgery. The company has since given Doesburg seven days leave for medical reasons, filed a complaint against four workers and closed the parts factory in Villemer-sur-Tam, France, where the incident took place.

Union members said they only jostled Doesburg and threw eggs, Radio France Internationale reported Friday.

The strike began July 7, a reaction to plans to move the factory to the United States, Radio France Internationale reported Friday. Doesburg was in France negotiating an agreement regarding company compensation for the 283 soon-to-be displaced workers.

In a statement, Molex Chief Executive Officer Martin 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.

French Industry Minister Christian Estrosi said the acts of violence do a disservice to the workers’ cause and make negotiations even more difficult.