It is almost January 31st, date X for the Portovesme srl plants because for that day production will stop and layoffs for employees will start, decided by the company due to the cost of energy.
In the public meeting convened by the Region in Cagliari in the presence of the company, the trade unions and institutional representatives of the area, a glimmer of light emerges to prevent the stop of cars : the governor Christian Solinas reported on the institutional meetings that took place in recent days in Rome opened to discussions between Portovesme srl and Enel. For its part, the company has for now "made itself available not to make the redundancy fund active from 1 February, but to suspend it pending the interlocutions initiated by the Region" .
«The crucial issue was the cost of energy, the discussions we had led to the involvement and serious interest of the Government in the reconversion process - explained the president Christian Solinas - As soon as the company is ready to present its projects, it will be possible remodulate a series of regional and national instruments , such as the Energy Transition Fund, in order to be able to develop initiatives in the industrial pole which would represent the first project for the production of lithium batteries and accumulators in Europe».
"The Region - continued the governor - has managed to create the conditions so that from tomorrow the dialogues between private subjects can start that reach the objective of an agreement on a sustainable and affordable cost for the company's production plans . Workers and the territory need a perspective, we cannot attack the problem by putting a patch on it from time to time . The Region is also ready to do it in terms of resources, but this path must not leave anyone behind : if on the one hand the public side invests, on the other there must be a return that brings prospects to the territory».
For the company, this is « excellent news that has brought to light opportunities that we will examine in a short time - clarified the CEO Davide Garofalo -. The agreement with private individuals is a step forward but it may not be enough, we need further discussions".
The representatives of the trade unions are partially satisfied but ask the company for more certainties. "We are satisfied with the work done in these two weeks by President Solinas, there is a clear change of pace compared to the past", commented Emanuele Madeddu, secretary of Filctem CGIL of Sulcis Iglesiente : "We have had confirmation that the problems are being addressed and solutions are being proposed in line with what the union itself has asked for, but now we need a further step forward for the company : it is important to crystallize every initiative aimed at suspending activities. However, the right path has been identified both for dealing with contingent issues but also for the factory's prospects over time».
The position of Vincenzo Lai, of the Femca Cisl, is similar : «We are not yet at the conclusion of the dispute - he specified -. We asked for more clarity from the company, because it is appropriate that in the interlocutions in which it will have to discuss the cost of energy it is correct and defines the future path once and for all. In the meantime - concluded Lai - we ask to suspend layoffs". "A glimmer of light is opening for the company's production recovery - said Pierluigi Loi, of Uiltec - the process must be completed, today it is only a first phase, we are waiting for the company to materialize the energy supply contract and we hope that then a table is opened between the region and the ministry for the future and the reconversion of production ».
And the governor does not hide his satisfaction: "We have effectively completed the task of bringing the subjects in the field closer together to favor, in the context of commercial agreements between private individuals, the best and most appropriate solution". Again: «We have at heart the suffering of so many workers who have seen many dangers and obstacles in their professional and personal career in recent years. I think this result achieved today can really guarantee the territory a perspective of serenity and a recovery of productions that will contribute to the well-being not only of Sulcis, but of all of Sardinia ».
(Unioneonline/D)
