While the negotiations with potential buyers go on, the reindustrialization solutions are evaluated at the political table on the Tuscan crisis of Gkn. For the industrial site of Campi Bisenzio (Florence) “we are in the field to make available all the tools that will be necessary for the shock absorbers, for the functional training investments for the investor who will be deemed suitable” and “what I can say how Ministry of Labor is that we are there, that we support any reindustrialization process that will be deemed suitable by the Region and the social partners “said the Minister of Labor and Social Policies, Andrea Orlando, on the sidelines of an initiative by the Group of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament underway in Florence.
The moves of Borgomeo
As for potential buyers, «Borgomeo anticipated the acquisition of the shares of Gkn within the next week. We hope that the operation can really lead to the return to work of the approximately 400 workers involved as soon as possible, to which are added the colleagues of the first induced “, declared Gianluca Ficco, national secretary of Uilm, and Davide Materazzi, secretary of Uilm of Florence at the end of the meeting held at the Ministry of Economic Development.
«As previously clarified, the acquisition by Borgomeo – explain Ficco and Materazzi – is aimed at a subsequent sale to an entrepreneurial entity actually engaged in reindustrialisation. In this regard, Borgomeo told us about two interested parties. He also talked to us about times that would not go beyond six months, as well as the intention to always keep the fate of the property linked to the commitment to the absorption of workers. In terms of social safety nets, the Ministry of Labor explained that with the approval of the budget law, new accompanying instruments should be prepared to cover the coming months. In the meantime, particularly in January, the workers will be paid with the use of holidays ».
In any case, «as long as all the workers involved – add Ficco and Materazzi – have not materially returned to work, we will not be able to give up the dispute. Today there is hope, but attention must be kept high and we reiterate the opportunity of a direct involvement of Invitalia also in the shareholding structure of the future reindustrialiser, as an element of guarantee. In any case, we appreciate Borgomeo’s declared willingness to get involved in the first person even in the unfortunate hypothesis of a demise on the part of those who today appear to be interested in reindustrialisation. Conversely, we see that the current ownership of GKN is slipping away without assuming its responsibilities towards those employees who hit with the decision to terminate the business ».
“Finally – conclude Ficco and Materazzi – the question of an industrial policy for the automotive sector, which has great relevance also in Tuscany and which, as is well known, is going through the double problem of the energy transition and the lack of supply, in particular of microchip”.