Opel Avoids Outright Firings

German automaker Opel, a subsidiary of General Motors of the United States, will manage to avoid outright dismissals as part of a scheme to lighten its workforce by 9,500 jobs in Germany, the company said Friday. Some 4,500 workers are expected to leave their jobs voluntarily this year, fortified with severance pay, it added. An additional 1,500 workers are likely to choose such an option in 2006 and 2007. The remaining 3,500 have opted for alternative solutions such as pre-retirement or training in affiliated companies created by Opel with subcontractors specializing in logistics and the manufacture of spare parts. "We are pleased with the reception the plan has received by workers," said Opel's director of human resources, Norbert Kuepper, in a statement.