The Huatipato steel plant, which is in the midst of a crisis, has not ruled out the possibility of permanent closure. Company executives say this is a decision that is under permanent evaluation and will ultimately be subject to the protection of the National Railways, which cannot compete in the face of the unequal conditions under which the elements are imported. It is said that this is because
executives of Wachipato Steel Company They have not ruled out an eventual closure of the company if safeguard measures are not implemented for JNR.
Industry faces crisis, factory workers and local authorities seek safeguards to save money 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The crisis was disclosed to the regional council’s development committee by management representatives and the presidents of the company’s two trade unions.
At the end of the session, César Garrido, general manager of the steel company, said that he had already initiated several actions at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy, seeking safeguards and measures that would allow for protection.However, he said that it would take time, saying, “The situation is “This company is very important.” In fact, this is under permanent evaluation.
“As of now, we have not seen any further action in this regard, but “However, we cannot rule out the possibility that the company will eventually close down,” he said.
Wachipato crisis
Regarding the causes of the crisis, the general manager explained that at the prices steel is trading at, it is not even possible to generate operating flow, let alone pay non-operating expenses, and this has been happening for the past 10-12 years. .
Fernando Orellana, president of the Workers’ Union 2, referred to this background and explained that his activities are focused on protecting jobs.
“This is the worst crisis, because we can’t really compete in an unfair way with 40% cheaper steel coming in from overseas. No company can resist that.” I lament.
The session was also attended by Mr. Ivan Valenzuela, Administrator of the Local Government of Bío Bío.
Officials cited the serious employment problems affecting the region and noted that GORE supports and supports efforts to provide sustainability for the industry.
“The situation is not easy. What we experienced not only in Huachipat, but also in Fanarosa and Horcones, what we experienced from a health point of view…” he exemplified.
Meanwhile, local lawmaker Rodrigo Vera, who chairs the group that analyzed the complex panorama, pledged support for permanent research and analysis of the market. It aims to propose tools and proposals to protect the region’s steel through academic reports.
