You are an international human resources consultant retained by Pacific Paper Products, a U.S. corporation headquartered in Seattle. PPP recently downsized its operations located in Germany, which resulted in significant layoffs. The basis of this decision was the inability of the German plants to generate sufficient revenues. Although marginally profitable, PPP concluded that it would be fiscally prudent to downsize the facilities. PPP provided ten days written notice to their employees at these facilities prior to their termination. In response, the employees have submitted claims for wrongful discharge. You have been retained to advise PPP's board of directors on the validity of these claims.

Did PPP's closure of the plant violate German law? Are the former employees' claims for wrongful discharge valid? Why or why not?