The internal memo, which has been published by radio station 100,7, says that “digital acceleration” and “operational efficiency” require the publishing house to officially launch…a social plan to reduce the number of jobs in Saint-Paul Luxembourg SA and at [advertising agency] régie.lu 80 employees.”

Back in April, Saint-Paul was taken over by Belgian media company Mediahuis. The publisher had previously been owned by Lafayette SA, a group that manages the assets of the Archdiocese of Luxembourg.

As well as the Wort and Luxembourg Times, Saint-Paul publishes a French-language version of the Wort as well as a Portuguese edition, Contacto. Its stable also includes weekly TV listings guide magazine Télécran.

Mediahuis said in the memo that the job cuts announcement “may at first sight be seen as contradicting our assertions that we want to avoid a social plan.” It blames the magnitude of the current crisis, which it calls a “totally unpredictable…force majeure event” for forcing the company’s hand in taking the decision “to maintain profitability and develop good prospects for the future.”