Michel Combes, Alcatel-Lucent’s CEO, says the supplier’s future is at risk as he tries to push through a painful round of restructuring.

Speaking on a radio programme, Combes warned the company “could disappear” if severe cuts were not made to stem losses.

Alcatel-Lucent’s boss is facing a backlash against his plans to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide, 900 of which are in France.

Labour unions have called for workers to march the streets in Paris today (15 October) in order to protest.

French president Francois Hollande has also spoken out against the proposed lay-offs, calling on the US-French vendor to minimise domestic job losses

Combes hinted, however, that there may be some flexibility in his proposals. “The plan sets targets that are key to the survival of the company… but it can obviously be improved,” he said, quoted by Reuters. “That’s the point of the social talks that begin today.”

The Alcatel-Lucent boss said he had four months to negotiate with unions on the terms and the timeframe of the restructuring.

Combes says he shelved plans by predecessor Ben Verwaayen that aimed to completely end the group’s activities in France.