Zeeman will shut 13 stores across Spain following an agreement with unions on collective layoffs. The deal reduces the number of closures, secures higher compensation for affected staff, and introduces support measures for older employees.
Zeeman, the Dutch low-cost textile chain, will close 13 of its stores in Spain after reaching a definitive agreement with unions on a collective redundancy plan. The decision, which follows weeks of negotiations, marks a significant reduction from the company’s original proposal to shutter 15 locations.
The final deal, reached with UGT, CCOO, and Fetico, spares the stores in Burriana and Cartagena, allowing them to remain open. According to the terms, employees affected by the closures will receive severance pay of up to 33 days’ salary per year worked, capped at 24 months. This compensation applies to both forced redundancies and voluntary departures linked to job swaps.
Reduced Closures, Improved Terms
Zeeman’s initial plan targeted 15 stores for closure, but union negotiations succeeded in limiting the impact. The revised list now excludes Burriana in Castellón and Cartagena in Murcia, reducing the number of affected outlets to 13. The closures will still affect stores in regions including Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Aragón, and Murcia.
Union representatives have described the agreement as a step forward for employee protection, noting that the improved severance terms and additional support measures offer greater security for those leaving the company. The deal also reduces the number of forced layoffs compared to the original proposal.
Severance and Support Measures
Under the agreement, employees leaving Zeeman due to the closures will receive 33 days’ salary per year of service, up to a maximum of 24 monthly payments. In addition, the company will pay 15 days’ salary to cover the period between the employee’s departure and the official end of their contract.
For staff who volunteer to leave without participating in a job swap, the severance package will be 20 days’ salary per year worked, with a cap of 12 months, following the terms of an objective dismissal.
Reemployment and Protection for Older Workers
The agreement includes an external outplacement plan managed by Randstad, aimed at helping affected employees find new jobs. Special provisions are in place for workers over 55, who will benefit from a dedicated Social Security agreement to protect their pension contributions after leaving Zeeman.
To oversee the implementation of the deal, a joint monitoring committee will be established, comprising four representatives from Zeeman’s management and four from the unions. This body will address any issues that arise during the process and ensure compliance with the agreed terms.
Impact on Zeeman’s Spanish Operations
The closure of 13 stores marks a notable contraction of Zeeman’s presence in Spain. While the unions have welcomed the improved conditions and reduced number of layoffs, the company’s retail footprint will shrink, affecting both employees and local communities.
As the agreement takes effect, Zeeman will begin the process of compensating departing staff, implementing the outplacement plan, and providing additional support for older workers. The monitoring committee will play a key role in ensuring that the transition is handled fairly and transparently.
According to Talent24h, this outcome reflects a compromise between the company’s restructuring needs and the unions’ efforts to safeguard workers’ rights. The case highlights the ongoing challenges facing international retailers in Spain’s competitive market, where cost pressures and shifting consumer habits continue to drive change.
