MILANO – The clash on the former Ilva di Taranto rises in a situation complicated by the contradictory announcements by ArcelorMittal. The French-Indian multinational first communicated the stop to production to the trade unions. Except then back off within a few hours, announcing the restart of some plants of the steel plant in Taranto.
The stop was also confirmed by an official statement from the Italian branch of ArceloMittal in which there was talk of a “reduction in production levels”. As well as a slowdown in investment plans will be temporary. Within the measures we would have had to continue until Invitalia, the public company that is collaborating with the multinational to relaunch the steel plant, will not pay the 400 million agreed in the partnership agreement.
As mentioned, within a few hours a new communication, this time arrived from the London office, in which it is ensured that three blast furnaces will work at full capacity, effectively modifying the previous directives.
Something must have happened and an intervention at the government level cannot be ruled out. Taking into account that on Thursday there was a meeting between the Minister of Economic Development Giancarlo Giorgetti, the Minister of Ecological Transition Roberto Cingolani and the CEO of Invitalia Domenico Arcuri. At the center of the meeting is the public commitment to the former ilva and its industrial revival. he intentions of the executive will also have to go through a more “sustainable” redesign of production, with the introduction of green where it should play a significant role too
But, as mentioned, in recent days ArcelorMittal had put the Italian government in default, accusing it of not respecting the commitments signed in December for the rescue of the steel plant, saying it was forced in a press release “to announce a reduction in its production levels and a slowdown. of its investment plans. These measures will be in force as long as Invitalia does not fulfill its commitments under the Investment Agreement “, can be read in the note with which ArcelorMittal had put pressure on the public shareholder.
Arcelor puts the government in default: “The 400 million for Ilva never arrived”
by Marco Patucchi
In the past few weeks, he had revealed Republic, the steel multinational had sent the executive a letter in which it accused Invitalia of having missed twice the appointment with the first capital increase of the steel company, set by the agreement: the 400 million one entirely reserved for Treasury company that would thus support the Mittals with a 50% stake in Ilva, while in May 2022 another recapitalization will deliver 60% overall.
Industry, crisis tables blocked. Giorgetti does not respond to the trade unions
by Marco Patucchi
A move with which Aminvestco (the operating arm of ArceloMittal in Italy) had returned to refer to the December agreement, which provided for Invitalia’s commitment to subscribe and pay a capital increase of € 400 million by February 5, 2021 and a number of other measures to support the company’s investments.
Then came the reverse from the London office. but despite the reassurance, the unions are very worried and go directly to Prime Minister Mario Draghi to clarify what happened. “The situation is now of an unacceptable gravity. We are deeply concerned that irresponsible and tactical attitudes underway by all parties will lead to the closure of the plant”, denounces the FIM leader, Roberto Benaglia who accuses the government of “shuffling the cards” . “There is talk of a change of pace but everything is postponed”, continues, urging Invitalia the government and the company to implement the agreement signed on 10 December. “We will not stand still and wait,” he admonishes.
Industrial crisis tables blocked, Fratoianni press Giorgetti: “Avoid a social massacre”
A paradoxical situation also for Francesca Re David, head of Fiom: “The responsibilities of Invitalia and the Government are clear for the delays in the completion of the corporate structures and the industrial and environmental relaunch of the site, but this does not legitimize the behavior of ArcelorMittal, which before it seems to take workers hostage by unloading improper responsibilities on them and then suddenly communicates an opposite decision. It is clear that this cannot go on “.
ArcelorMittal, the Council of State welcomes suspension of the company: no to stop plants in Taranto. The mayor: “We will stop them at any cost”
.