PARIS, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The French government will be "extremely" vigilant to limit the impact of Conforama's layoff plan in France, Secretary of State for Economy and Finance Agnes Pannier-Runacher said Tuesday.
Conforama, Europe's largest home furnishings retailer, plans to cut 1,900 jobs in France by 2020, which represent 20 percent of its total staff, as part of its financial restructuring program, the company said Monday.
Under its reconstructing scheme, the French unit of South African retailer Steinhoff will close 32 stores out 235 notably in Ile-de-France region.
"We will be extremely attentive to soothe the effect of Conforama's social plan and support employees," Pannier-Runacher told local outlet Sud Radio.
Conforama's plan comes as Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, said it would recruit 1,800 workers in France this year.
"Traditional stores are facing a profound transformation," said Pannier-Runacher.
"It is true that the coincidence of these two figures -- 1,800 hires at Amazon and 1,900 job cuts at Conforama -- reflects this transformation," she added.
