Former Ilva steel plant in Taranto: discussions continue between Government and trade union organisations

Discussions between the Government and trade union organisations regarding the former Ilva steel plant in Taranto continued at Palazzo Chigi this morning. The technical-operational meeting was attended, on behalf of the Government, by the heads of cabinet of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the ministries involved (Labour and Social Policies; Enterprises and Made in Italy; European Affairs, Southern Italy, Cohesion Policy and the NRRP) and, on behalf of the trade union organisations, by representatives of Fim-Cisl, Fiom- Cgil, Uilm-UIL, Usb and Ugl metalmeccanici.

The round-table discussions, which will be permanent in nature, took place in an atmosphere of frankness and provided an opportunity to update the trade unions on the Government’s progress in addressing the complex issues that have been surrounding the Taranto steel plant for decades.
For the Government, these are important discussions that form part of a national strategy in which Italian steel once again plays leading role, and that aim to put down on paper the urgent matters and commitments to be undertaken by all parties involved. For its part, the Government clearly underlined its intention to continue doing its part, reaffirming its commitment to categorically exclude the possibilities of the plant being closed or liquidated or a suspension of its activities, and providing assurance that the objective is still to achieve certain production levels over time.

In particular, the trade unions were updated on workplace health and safety, an issue the Government considers essential and in relation to which attendees were informed that the company Arcelor Mittal has been warned not to lay off maintenance workers.
With regard to the ‘Cassa integrazione guadagni’ [fund to supplement earnings] scheme, attendees were reminded that the draft budget law includes a regulation that can be reformulated according to the production levels the company has committed to, with the priority aim of maintaining worker protection.
In addition to assurances regarding the safety of the facilities, updates were also provided on: the successful resolution of the ongoing infringement proceedings; discussions with the European Commission regarding the revision of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) linked to the REPowerEU chapter; and, verification of the private shareholder’s concrete commitment to relaunch the plant. 

All the necessary in-depth discussions regarding industrial issues were postponed until after 23 November, when a shareholders’ meeting of Acciaierie d’Italia, the company that owns the steel plant, is scheduled to be held.