Galp workers at the former Matosinhos refinery say they are "left behind" in their professional future. Union says that "after more than two years there is nothing"
The dismissed workers of the former Galp refinery in Matosinhos were "left behind" and continue "without solutions" for their professional future, accused this Thursday the Union of Workers of Manufacturing Industries, Energy and Environment Activities of the North.
After more than two years there is nothing, only the certainty that the fired workers were left behind," said the union, in a statement sent to the press.
Due to the "harsh reality" experienced by workers, the union held meetings with the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of the North (CCDR-N), the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) and the Matosinhos City Council which resulted in "a handful of nothing", it said.
Faced with this "worrying situation of inoperability of the institutions", the union has now requested urgent meetings with the ministries of Labor and Environment.
For the union, the guarantee period of the unemployment fund for some workers has already ended or is about to end and, until then, there is no concrete plan to be implemented.
We demand a quick intervention by the Government in this matter so that all goals and principles of the so called "Just Transition", approved by the Government and the European Union, are fulfilled", he stressed.
On December 21, 2020, Galp communicated to the Securities and Exchange Commission (CMVM) the decision to close the refining activity in Matosinhos, concentrating its activities in the Sines complex.
Subsequently, to monitor the whole process, the Matosinhos City Council set up a Scientific Committee and an Advisory Board on the Refinery Reconversion.
The whole closing process was highly criticized, especially by the unions that represent the refinery's workers.
On February 16th 2021, Galp, the Matosinhos City Hall and the North Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N) stated that the old refinery will give way to an innovation city related to the "energies of the future".