Metalworkers' unions raise the alarm about the financial crisis of the Ilva related industries in Taranto
Quick Look
- The metalworking unions warn that at the beginning of October there will not be the conditions to continue production in the former Ilva branch in Taranto due to the exhaustion of European funds and the lack of raw materials, despite the pending appeals.
- They are asking the government for financial commitments at the next meeting at Palazzo Chigi and the withdrawal of the dismissals of the first 2,500 workers.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The former Ilva in Taranto was the subject of a complex sale and restructuring procedure, with the European Union approving a 390 million euro bridging loan pending the sale of Acciaierie d'Italia. The government has already authorized three tranches of financing for a total of 349 million, leaving few resources available.
ROME – There are no more resources, we expect respect from the government also regarding the lack of financial means to continue the activity in Taranto". The metalworkers' unions, the day after the start of the dismissal procedure of the first 2,500 employees of the related companies in the former Ilva hot metals area, are launching a new alarm: at the beginning of October - even assuming positive outcomes of the appeals presented to the Court of Appeal on the July decision which imposes a stop on the blast furnaces on 28 October - there will not be the conditions to continue production. In addition to the lack of availability of raw materials, which are already reducing, there would be no funds "to run the remaining plants, pay salaries and suppliers and advance the redundancy fund".
Fim, Fiom, Uilm and Usb recall that as part of the 390 million ceiling approved by the European Union as a bridge loan awaiting the sale of the Steelworks of Italy, the government has already authorized three tranches: one of 149 million and two others of 100. The money is almost finished. A situation which they will ask for an account of on Tuesday in the meeting at Palazzo Chigi, seeking financial commitments from the government. The sale procedure has not been concluded and the matter will not be closed quickly. On Wednesday, however, there will be a hearing linked to the request for suspension of the decision to close the hot area by the Milan court.
«Companies should withdraw their layoffs, awaiting Tuesday's meeting and the government's commitments», says Luigi Bennardi of Uilm. Biagio Prisciano (Fim) defines the related industries as "the weakest link in the chain" and Francesco Rizzo (USB) speaks of a "social escalation that is complicated to manage". Francesco Brigati (Fiom) is worried "about the risk of closure due to financial difficulties". And then he attacks the executive: «What is happening is the result of an absence of responses from the government regarding the perspective».
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The government will be urged to provide new financial commitments at Tuesday's meeting at Palazzo Chigi
Likely · Within days
Related companies could withdraw their layoffs pending the outcome of the government meeting
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- What will be the outcome of the appeals to the Court of Appeal on the closure of the blast furnaces?
- Will the government provide new financial commitments at Tuesday's meeting?
- What will be the employment consequences if production were to stop permanently?
