Van Hool, a Belgian bus manufacturer, plans to cut 830 jobs this year with a total reduction of 1,100 jobs over three years.

The company is in search of new funding to prevent bankruptcy and is shifting production to North Macedonia.

Local economic impacts and concerns over production decline are prevalent due to the job cuts.

Van Hool has requested the Flemish government's assistance in creating a job support cell for the affected employees.

Employees have initiated a strike in reaction to the job cut announcement.

Negotiations with trade unions are underway to find a resolution.

A funding agreement is critical and must be finalized by the end of March to avert bankruptcy.

A recent tender awarded to a Chinese company for electric buses has heightened concerns about market distortion affecting the Flemish manufacturing sector.