Solothurn parliamentarians demand intervention from the Federal Council: there is a risk of job losses at Stahl Gerlafingen

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The Swiss steel industry is suffering from high electricity prices. This is especially felt by Stahl Gerlafingen in the canton of Solothurn. In the steel factory in Gerlafingen SO, scrap is melted and cast into structural steel. There is great price pressure and foreign competition.

There is now a threat of massive layoffs at the steel mills. A large part of the more than 500 jobs could be lost. It is unclear how many jobs are involved. If thirty or more people are affected, it is officially referred to as a mass layoff. The company would then also have to provide a social plan.

At Blick’s request, Stahl Gerlafingen is taking a cautious stance. “It is true that the Gerlafingen steel plant – like the entire steel industry – faces major challenges due to massive competitive distortions in Europe,” explains CFO Patrick Puddu. And: “It is right that Stahl Gerlafingen is considering structuring measures.” The associated plans will be informed clearly and transparently next Friday. Puddu makes it clear: “The closure of the steel plant is not a problem.”

Solothurn MPs intervene

Nevertheless: the threatened job losses are pushing the Solothurn parliamentarians into action. Together they call on the Federal Council to save the steel factories with immediate measures – if necessary with an emergency law. SVP State Councilor Christian Imark (42) and SP State Councilor Franziska Roth (57) submitted corresponding proposals on Wednesday. “The steel plant is of system importance,” says Imark. Moreover, from an ecological point of view, a closure would be fatal if the steel scrap were to be exported abroad in the future, where the steel produces significant CO2 emissions.₂– processed more intensively.

Behind the scenes the wires are getting hot. According to reports, talks took place this week between the company, the cantonal government of Solothurn and the federal government. “The government council is in close contact with those responsible,” confirms government spokeswoman Andrea Affolter. Stahl Gerlafingen is important for the canton of Solothurn and systemically relevant for the whole of Switzerland. “The government council is committed to ensuring fair conditions for Stahl Gerlafingen in the short, medium and long term.” She can’t say more about it at the moment.

SVP Federal Councilors should intervene

Solothurn’s eight MPs are now putting pressure on the responsible federal council members, Economic Affairs Minister Guy Parmelin (64) and Energy Minister Albert Rösti (56), to intervene.

The basis for this is a proposal by former State Councilor Roberto Zanetti (69), which the House of Representatives adopted with a large majority last year. This calls for a package of measures from the Federal Council to safeguard the steel mills and thus the metal cycle in Switzerland. To do this, the government must deal with market imbalances with the EU.

“Something needs to happen quickly because the company is likely to make decisions quickly,” Imark said. “We therefore need a signal from the Federal Council this week that it wants to safeguard these jobs.” The state government will meet for its next meeting on Friday.

Zanetti calls for an active industrial policy

There are a number of support options. From a guarantee from the federal government or the canton to financial relief from network costs. “One option is also investment contributions, for example for energy savings or decarbonization of the economy,” says Zanetti.

For him it is clear that the Federal Council must decide here on an active industrial policy. “If international competition benefits from industrial policy measures, doing nothing is also industrial policy – ​​industrial policy by negligence! So that jobs are lost, the most important company in the circular economy disappears and the security of supply of structural steel is jeopardized.

Source:Blick