ArcelorMittal postpones temporary shutdown of Krakow Steel Works

ArcelorMittal announced its decision to postpone the previously announced temporary closure of its blast furnace and steel mill in Krakow, Poland. The decision followed protests from workers representing unions at the plant. It should be noted that about a thousand protesting workers picketed the company's Polish headquarters in Dabrowa Gornicza.

The closure, announced in March, was due to take effect this September. At the time, the company estimated that the shutdown could affect nearly 1,200 employees. He assured that all affected workers will either be transferred to another job, or they will be offered to pay for downtime. In addition, he made it clear that none of his employees will lose their jobs during the temporary downtime of a steel mill in southern Poland.

ArcelorMittal Poland's press office said the planned closure was postponed indefinitely as the company wants to assess market conditions. Shutdown is now expected at a different time. Meanwhile, the company has not yet decided when to start closing.

The company noted that conditions in the steel market continue to be challenging, especially for European producers. Consequently, earlier this week, the company announced a deferral of its investment in a new V shaped sheet line at the Polish plant.

It is estimated that the Krakow plant accounted for almost a third of ArcelorMittal's steel production in Poland in 2018.