Multiple news sources have reported details of a recent offer made to workers at Continental’s now closed down Clairoix tire plant. On March 24, workers from the factory, which has been out of operation since early this year, received a letter from Continental offering them employment in Tunisia. Any enthusiasm the former Clairoix staff may have held towards upping sticks and moving to the North African nation would have quickly evaporated, however, upon reading the remuneration on offer.

“While this position corresponds to your professional qualifications, we would nevertheless like to draw your attention to the fact that the gross monthly salary offered by our Tunisian subsidiary is a minimum sum of 260 dinars,” stated the letter. “While this sum is in conformity with Tunisian standards, it is of course largely below the minimum at Continental in France. We nonetheless have the obligation to submit this proposition to you.” Those not familiar with Tunisian currency exchange rates may be surprised to hear the monthly salary disclosed in the letter is the princely sum of £120 per month, about three days’ wages at the minimum wage in France.

According to an article printed on the World Socialist Web Site, Conti made this offer in adherence to its legal obligation to offer sacked workers new jobs and a Continental official reportedly told AFP “This is a legal obligation and in no way a provocation. This internal position corresponds to the qualifications of ex-employees at Clairoix and the language spoken at the plant is French, so we are obliged to propose it.”