Job cuts at Renault sparks strike

High bills have kept shoppers away from Renault showrooms

Renault factory workers have gone on strike across France in protest against job cuts announced earlier this week.

The carmaker, which is struggling against a weak consumer backdrop, said participation in the action was low.

The firm said the worst affected plant was Cleon where 10% of staff walked out, but officials at union CGT said the figure was nearer 20%.

On Tuesday, Renault said that 4,000 positions would go in France through voluntary redundancy measures.

Another 2,000 jobs will be shed in other European countries.

Renault is hoping to make cost savings of 350m euros ($487.2m; £278m) in 2009 and 500m euros in 2010.

Cost cuts

At the Sandouville factory in northern France, which produces the weak-selling Laguna model, Renault said about 6% of workers on the morning shift went on strike. No figures were available for the afternoon shift.

About 3% of workers at its Clio-producing Flins site near Paris were involved in the industrial action, Renault added.

A company spokesperson said: "We respect their right to strike. We are following a voluntary departure plan and are engaged in close discussions with the trade unions."