21.   The Belgian government, anxious to reduce its public debt has plans to privatize several public companies, but unions want avoid any sales that would cause massive layoffs.

22.   The decision would not cause any layoffs at British Aerospace, he added.

23.   The striking workers also have complained about corporate restructuring that they say is causing massive layoffs.

24.   Thousands of striking metal workers marched through downtown Seoul for a third straight day Saturday, demanding the government stop industry reforms which they fear will cause mass layoffs.

25.   Workers fear the mergers will cause large layoffs.

26.   Workers fear privatization will cause mass layoffs, while the government has insisted that privatization will not be negotiated.

27.   The increase is explained mainly by a tough strike at General Motors, which caused extensive layoffs both at the automaker and at supplier firms.