DUESSELDORF, Germany - General Motors will present labor leaders at European arm Opel a reorganization plan on Wednesday that envisions cutting nearly a fifth of the workforce, GM's acting European head said.

The plan calls for eliminating between 9,000 and 9,500 jobs, GM's Nick Reilly told reporters on Tuesday. GM has said in the past around 10,000 jobs would go at Opel and its British sister brand Vauxhall.

Reilly said the German plant in Bochum was safe for now.

Bochum remains an important site for us, in the future as well, he said.

GM has given scant details so far on its 3.3 billion euros ($4.92 billion) rescue plan for Opel.

GM this month backtracked on plans to sell Opel to a consortium led by carparts firm Magna -- a deal that involved government aid -- but is now turning again to European states for help to keep Opel in business.

(Reporting by Tom Kaeckenhoff, writing by Michael Shields)

Germany General motors