Being forced to take paid leave in tough times is a fair enough call as it gets a debt off the company's books. It's better to have had the paid leave than to have been stiffed for it when the company folds.
However, forcing employees to take unpaid leave without actually paying out redundancy is what the Yanks would describe as furlough. This should have the effect of releasing the affected employees from any training bonds and obviously allows them to work elsewhere, including for the opposition. Forced, unpaid leave can be a gift, when looked at in that light.