Over 1600 workers, about to be laid off at "Oltchim"

• Mihai Diculoiu: "Petrom is asking for 25 million Euros for Arpechim"s petrochemical division"

Ştefania Ciocîrlan

Over 1600 of Oltchim"s employees are at risk of entering technical unemployment, while those who will continue to work will only receive 85% of their salary, as the plant has been operating at just 40% of its capacity, since the end of last year, when "Petrom" has stopped the pyrolisys installation of "Arpechim" Piteşti.

According to the latest information, "Oltchim" needs approximately EUR 62 million, in order to recover, with EUR 25 million representing the amount that "Petrom" is asking for the petrochemical division of "Arpechim".

"Petrom is asking for EUR 25 million from Oltchim, the equivalent value of the amount it invested in meeting environmental standards and a guarantee that for a certain time, the plant will acquire its raw materials from Arpechim", Mihai Diculoiu, the chairman of the Free Union of "Oltchim" stated for "Bursa", who added that "Petrom" is not asking for any money for the plot of land and "Arpechim""s equipment.

"Oltchim" still owes "Petrom" approximately EUR 32 million for raw materials not paid on time, according to the union leader. Even though this debt was a long time issue in the negotiations for the acquisition of the petrochemical division of "Arpechim", Mr. Diculoiu said there is the possibility of its rescheduling.

"It is possible to negotiate with Petrom the rescheduling of these debts over a 2-3 year period", said the chairman of the Free Union of "Oltchim".

Approximately 2500 workers of "Oltchim" are expected to protest today

Over 2500 "Oltchim" workers are expected to protest today, in front of the Prefecture of Râmnicu Vâlcea, accusing the Ministry of the Economy, (the majority stakeholder in the plant), that it failed to deliver on its promises.

"We have met with the Minister of the Economy, Adriean Videanu, several times, in order to discuss the takeover of the petrochemical division from Arpechim, but in the end the government failed to keep any of its promises", Mr. Diculoiu said.

The demands of the protesters concern the failure of the authorities to get involved in lowering the price paid by "Oltchim", which is far higher than the one paid by the plant"s competitors, as well as the indifference of the Ministry of Economics to the situation of the company, Mr. Diculoiu said.

"Oltchim" currently employs 3660 workers, but the acquisition of the petrochemical division of "Arpechim" could affect as many as 9000 people, including the employees of the companies which provide services to "Oltchim", the quoted source said.