Czech steelmakers demand immediate steps to save the industry

The European and Czech steel sector is in a critical situation. At a meeting of the Regional Council for Economic and Social Agreement (Tripartita) in the Moravian-Silesian Region, representatives of the authorities, trade unions, and employers agreed on the need for immediate action to preserve domestic metallurgical production. This is stated in a press release from Třinecké železárny.

“Cooperation between the region, trade unions, and employers is key to the stability and development of our region. By working together, we can respond to the challenges we face. Tripartita is a tool for us to coordinate interests and strengthen competitiveness,” emphasized Regional Governor Josef Belica.

During the meeting, an open letter from the trade unions to all political parties and the future Czech government was presented. It expresses strong opposition to the current industrial strategy of the EU and the Czech Republic, which, according to the trade unions, threatens the existence of the European metallurgical industry.

KOVO union leader Roman Durčo stressed that the industry is suffering from high energy prices and growing imports from third countries.

«This energy-intensive sector needs to be taken under state protection. We need to adjust climate goals and help with the transition to green technologies. We want to preserve Czech steel, which can be produced by our facilities and workers,» he said.

Together with the Czech Metallurgical Union, a 10-point program to save the Czech metallurgical industry was presented. The demands include affordable electricity, reform of the EU ETS system, restrictions on scrap metal exports, protection of the market from unfair competition, creation of a “green steel” market, and declaration of metallurgy as a strategic industry.

“The only steel producer in the country must be granted the status of a strategic enterprise, otherwise we will not be able to withstand global pressure,” emphasized Roman Haide, CEO of Třinecké železárny.

Tripartita also supported the joint appeal of the Czech coal regions to the EU and the government to continue funding the “just transition” project after 2027.

Earlier, the Czech steelworkers’ union sharply criticized the European Commission’s proposed climate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040. According to the industry association, this target is unrealistic even under the most favorable conditions and threatens the final decline of EU industry.