French workers in angry protest

Half of the plant's workforce will lose their jobs

French workers at an Arcelor Mittal steel plant ransacked their boss's office after management confirmed that 575 jobs would be cut.

They threw furniture and files out of the office window.

Workers also tried to break down doors to get into a meeting between management and union leaders.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to meet Arcelor Mittal boss Lakshmi Mittal to discuss the future of the plant in Gandrange.

In February, Mr Sarkozy pledged that he would be prepared to use public money to save jobs at the plant.

Arcelor Mittal said it planned to cut 575 of its 1,100-strong workforce, slightly less than the 595 originally expected.

It said workers whose jobs are cut will be offered a position in another Arcelor Mittal plant.

Arcelor acquired the Gandrange plant in eastern France for a symbolic one euro in 1999.

It produces some 900,000 tonnes of steel a year, but the company says it is not profitable enough.

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