By IANS
New Delhi : Terming steel tycoon Lakshmi N. Mittal as his “friend”, visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed he had asked to meet him to discuss the “jobs issue” over the closure of a plant in eastern France.
“He is my friend. We are not in the habit of calling the captains of companies,” said Sarkozy at a joint press conference after talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Friday afternoon. He arrived early morning on a two-day sate visit.
“I have known him. But I told him that we want to discuss these jobs issue. Why these choices were made and how to maintain production,” Sarkozy said.
Mittal earned the French government’s ire after his company ArcelorMittal announced the closure of a plant in Gandrange, France, that would affect 600 jobs. Mittal said out of 600 affected employees, 150 were reaching the age of superannuation, while the rest were offered alternate jobs within a range of 20-30 km.
Incidentally, Mittal took part in the Indo-French business conference that was addressed by Sarkozy Friday evening. The Indian government also announced that Mittal will be conferred with Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian honour.