Yesterday, trade unions from Gdynia, Gdansk and Szczecin shipyards organized protests in Brussels. They want the European Commission to give them more time for privatization. Neelie Kroes, EU competition commissionaire said there will be no more time. Today, the government must submit repair plans for the shipyards. Till the mid of July, investors must be let into the companies.
Trade unions stress it is not Brussels who is to be blamed for the present situation of the shipyards which are on the verge of bankruptcy and need investors badly. They blame all the governments since the year 2002.
“The present government poorly negotiated with Zlomrex. The investor withdrew
without any consequences and the ministry of the treasury must accept any
conditions from potential investors now. We have been repeating for years that
privatization was needed as it is the only way to restructure the shipyard”,
Marek Lewandowski from Gdynia shipyard said.