Former Ilva workers leave the prefecture of Genoa. The garrison continues

The workers of the former Ilva plant in Cornigliano left the prefecture of Genoa and returned to the garrison in front of the Government Palace. The workers are now awaiting a final document from the national commissioners-union meeting with the answers on the purchase of coils to continue work in the Genoa plant.

"As regards the possibility that the northern area (of the former Ilva, editor's note) is separated from the Taranto area, this was already foreseen in the update of the current tender", but "no one has made a proposal for the entire northern establishments". The Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, said this at question time in the Chamber. According to the minister, some groups have made "expressions of interest for the entire production complex", "others have instead asked for individual factories, but at present no one has made a proposal for the northern area separate from that of Taranto".

"I myself - Urso continued -, when I brought Federacciai together more than a year ago, to present the competition methods, to some extent made it clear that this was possible, and I also did it when I went to Genoa". "In theory - concluded the minister - it can still be done in the last days of this negotiation phase, before the filing of the binding proposals closes on November 9th. But at present no one has done it".

"It is urgent to reopen a discussion in order to provide answers to the risk of growing tension after three days of strike and demonstrations in all former Ilva factories". The general secretary of Fiom Michele De Palma told ANSA, regarding the mobilization of workers in Genoa and Taranto.

"To our request to protect all workers including related industries with the extraordinary fund and by way of derogation, the response of the decree is important and indispensable, but it is not enough - he explained -. There is a need to extend the protection and negotiate a social plan for the transition to encourage voluntary exits.

We ask for a plan to guarantee the production and employment continuity of the processes not subjected to judicial arrest in Taranto, Genoa, Novi Ligure and Racconigi with all the necessary actions in certain times to supply the cold areas and maintenance". "It is necessary to listen to the workers and their trade union organizations at Palazzo Chigi, but also in Parliament because we have concrete and achievable proposals", he concluded.