Hundreds of apartments under construction, an urban highway, several foreign companies in full recruitment drive, as well as the attention of the international press.
For the almost 4,000 inhabitants of Jucu, near Cluj, Nokia's arrival heralds the start of a new era in the village.
To reach the Nokia plant by public transport workers take the no. 51 bus on route to Cluj-Apahida, and then transfer to a special shuttle bus that "goes to Nokia". Signs of development are visible on route; new blocks and houses are under construction, road works are taking place, not to mention the noticeable appearance of the famous "Nokia" sign.
As a result of Nokia's interest in the area, villagers have now become shrewd landowners. A rough estimate reveals that it costs almost 170,000 euros to buy a property in a village that was virtually unknown almost a year ago.
The Nokia plant's cleaning, security and manufacturing workers receive gross salaries that range between 800 and 900 RON (around 200-300 euros), as well as a hot meal and luncheon vouchers. The Finnish group recruited its workers quite easily, after a fair, organised last year, saw the number of interested candidates exceed 8,000, way above organisers' estimates.
Many villagers are aware that the new plant has left "thousands of Germans" without work, but for them the plant has brought the possibility of working "at home".
Nokia officials announced that the first assembly line was launched with 350 employees, who receive salaries correlated to the local labour market plus a benefits package.
The representatives of trade union Cartel Alfa Cluj have stated that in approximately 2 weeks an employees' trade union will be created and negotiations will start for a collective employment contract.
When the Jucu investment is complete approximately 3,500 employees will work at the Nokia plant.
By the end of this year, Nokia Romania estimates to have 1,200 employees working on its assembly line and 100 in managerial positions. Nokia will start production with one shift and introduce two shifts in March.
According to Nokia officials, the mobile phones assembled in Jucu, which start stock production next week, will go to markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, in addition to Romania.
Nokia officials say the model made in Romania is the 1200 series, which retails for approximately 30 euros.
Nokia will invest 60m euros in the construction of the plant in the Nokia Village park, which is located 20 km away from Cluj-Napoca.
Ultimately, overall investments are expected to exceed 200m euros.
Nokia in Jucu
For the almost 4,000 inhabitants of Jucu, near Cluj, Nokia's arrival heralds the start of a new era in the village.
Nokia officials announced that the first assembly line was launched with 350 employees, who receive salaries correlated to the local labour market plus a benefits package
When the Jucu investment is completed approximately 3,500 employees will work at the plant.
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
