The government closed mines, but it gives clearance – GazetaPrawna.pl

The government closed mines, but it gives clearance – GazetaPrawna.pl

by Marek Chądzyński, Gregory Osiecki, Bartholomew Mayer 05/01/2015, 7:05; Update: 01/05/2015, 7:07

The liquidation or restructuring of unprofitable mines, reduction of employment in the mining industry and the voluntary redundancy program envisages a government program changes in the sector.

The government is preparing mining restructuring program. The goal is to save an industry that in the first three quarters of 2014. Had more than half a billion loss. The program provides for major changes. According to our information, four or five mines have been closed down, and production extinguished in them. A similar number of plants to be transferred to the Company Restructuring Mines (NDS) to convert into profitable bets. SRK is a wholly-owned Treasury. The entire industry now operates 30 mines, of which 14 in the Coal Company, the largest company in the industry, which is also the biggest problems. Program associated with the reduction of employment in the sector is expected to be between 4 and 5 thousand. people; 100 thousand working today. miners.

To reduce the social costs of the program, the government is preparing social protection. Just as in the case of the largest restructuring that the industry has undergone during the reign of Jerzy Buzek, has been running a voluntary redundancy. It is assumed for months severance pay for miners who give up work. In the times of the maximum amount of severance Buzek could be as high as 24 salary.

According to our information, the cost of the program in any of the variants does not exceed 2 billion zł (in the optimistic scenario it could be several hundred million ). Budget probably bear it because Coal Company has no money.

The restructuring will not be easy. Because of previous neglect government must restructure mining in an election year. Trouble may be a reaction miners and mining trade. And how the program will relate to voters? A survey of PBS for the DGP that the Poles would like the government saved even unprofitable mines. With one caveat: do not want this to do with their money.

Before the elections in 2005. Miners managed to gain the approval of the Act guarantees pension benefits. This year will be different – Ewa Kopacz government has little choice but to take the restructuring of the industry. – The situation is tragic, KW threatens bankruptcy. Reduction unprofitable mining capacity is required. The need for accountability on both sides: the government and the social partners – urges Janusz Steinhoff, Deputy Prime Minister in the government of Jerzy Buzek, the author then reform the mining industry.

The government can count understanding among persons aged 25–39 years, with large cities, with higher education, claiming to be wealthy. This group, which agrees with that in the long run, there is no chance to keep unprofitable mines. But although the majority of respondents have a different opinion, it changes the view, when asked whether the rescue should be carried out using taxpayers’ money. Here, only 17 per cent. is such a solution, the opposite is 67 percent.