Fim Cisl Secretary General Roberto Benaglia has sounded the alarm about the mad rush of gas prices e energy which constitutes a dangerous prospect for the productive panorama of theengineering industry – as well as work and the economy of our country – which, after 18 months of sustained performance and among the best in Europe, risks falling into the darkest recession.
"As the factories reopen these days, many companies report to us not only production costs that are now unsustainable, but above all the difficulty in planning the next production months in the face of total uncertainty," said the Cisl blue-collar secretary.
But it is not only the supply chains that are most affected energivorous (such as iron and steel, metallurgy, metalworking, machining), but also the user sectors such as production of machine tools, components automotive, the appliance. According to the Fim Cisl, one third of the companies are facing serious production problems in the month of September, despite substantial order backlogs, which could translate into negative employment consequences, with the risk of an increase in the use of shock absorbers.
Benaglia's alarm on natural gas and energy prices
“Hurry up on the gas! The Draghi government act now with full powers for a plan for the immediate containment of bills between now and Christmas, rationing that safeguards the manufacturing heart of the country, guaranteed supplies also through the regasification terminals and push on renewables immediately", thundered the Secretary with a jab at the parties: “come out of one campaign of attractive slogans and rally around this serious emergency for businesses and workers", adding that "it is an absolute priority to govern and ensure sustainable supplies with every effort. No one should be under the illusion of arriving at the elections on 25 September by postponing any solution until after".
The risk? For the trade unionist a "cold autumn" that could put too many industries and too many at risk jobs. “Doing nothing now means making workers already in difficulty pay for the critical issues of companies, and as a union we do not accept this. Let every political force abandon the tactical conveniences of the moment and help launch a shared national energy plan. We also appeal to the parties and employer associations most involved, to immediately start a direct confrontation and share appropriate flexibility measures that safeguard work and preserve the production capacity of metalworking companies", concluded Benaglia.
