Situation at the Leżajsk Machine Plant

23.1.2013

Question for written answer E-000673-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Zbigniew Ziobro (EFD) , Tadeusz Cymański (EFD)

In the past week, we have received alarming news from Member of the Sejm Kazimierz Ziobro’s office in Rzeszów concerning the announcement of the bankruptcy of the Leżajsk Machine Plant. Established over 40 years ago, it is the largest plant in Poland producing hydraulic cement mixers, sub‐assemblies and spare parts. According to information provided by Mr Ziobro, approximately 230 people will be laid off. Furthermore, the majority of them have not received any pay for four months.

1. Is the Commission aware of the alarming situation at the Leżajsk Machine Plant?

2. Has the Polish Government asked the Commission to mobilise funds from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to assist people laid off from the Leżajsk Machine Plant? When will the Commission be able to provide financial assistance to those laid off?

3. How does the Commission intend to help workers from the mechanical engineering sector laid off as a result of the crisis, particularly those workers from parts of the sector that are as closely tied to the construction industry as the plants in Leżajsk?

4. The machine plants are one of the largest and most important employers in Leżajsk, and the wave of redundancies will significantly aggravate the situation in a city already hard‐hit by high levels of unemployment (17.2%). Does the Commission plan to allocate additional resources under the forthcoming multiannual financial framework to support cities like Leżajsk, where industrial decline is leading to structural unemployment?

5. What influence is the unrestricted importation of machines from China having on themachine market?

OJ C 354 E, 04/12/2013