French boss kidnapped in protest over job losses

A LEADING executive has been kidnapped at a factory in France by striking workers angry over job cuts.

Pharmaceuticals chief Luc Rousselet was locked in a room at the 3M factory at Pithiviers, 60 miles south of Paris.

Mr Rousselet, director of the American 3M Group, had arrived yesterday to negotiate severance pay after 110 of the 235-strong workforce were sacked.

He was grabbed by militant trade unionists, leaving him "extremely distressed", said a company spokesman.

Jean-François Caparros, of the FO union, said: "Management is responsible for this situation. This kind of action is the only negotiating tool we have. The director is in no danger. All we are asking is that our demands for fairer pay and conditions are met."

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation. A judicial representative is attending along with our officers."

Ten days ago workers at a Sony factory in France took two executives hostage in a dispute over lay-offs. They were held for 18 hours.

The 3M kidnap is the latest clash between unions and management in France, which is being hit by lay-offs in the economic downturn.

Last week up to three million people took to the streets to protest against the handling of the financial crisis.