Trade unions at Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) have expressed strong irritation over recent statements by Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun. The minister claimed that the cost of coal extraction at JSW is eight times higher than that of global competitors and that the state budget subsidizes each miner by hundreds of thousands of zlotys annually. Union representatives demand an immediate clarification and a direct meeting with the minister.
During an interview with RMF24 on June 30, Minister Balczun admitted that JSW is in a difficult financial situation and that efforts are underway to secure external financing. He stressed that restructuring measures are being implemented, but the company still faces a liquidity gap. – We devote every day to JSW, and some statements and published materials unfortunately harm the process of obtaining financing because we are currently in the procedure of commercial financing – said Wojciech Balczun.
The head of Solidarity at JSW, Sławomir Kozłowski, welcomed the news that management has finally begun addressing the company’s funding issues after seven months of inaction. – We are very glad that finally, after seven months of neglect, the management board with the vice president for financial affairs has taken up the topic of JSW financing. It’s a shame it took so long – said Sławomir Kozłowski. He added that interest rates and risk premiums had risen during that time, but the mere fact that a financing procedure is underway gives some hope. – There is a saying: better late than never. We keep our fingers crossed that the work will end constructively right after the summer break and that the company will obtain the necessary funds to maintain employee safety, necessary investments, customer trust, and further operation of JSW as a strong enterprise, the only producer of coking coal in Europe – added Kozłowski.
Unions challenge subsidy claims
The most controversial part of the minister’s interview concerned alleged state subsidies. Balczun stated that the budget pays “hundreds of thousands of zlotys annually” for “each miner”. Union representatives immediately reacted. – We expect you to explain these words directly to our crew – the unionists declared in a social media post. – Employees of JSW have been hearing for years that the company cannot receive grants or state aid for its operational activities because it is a listed company. Therefore, the words about alleged subsidies to every miner are incomprehensible. Please indicate from which specific funds, in what amount, and on what basis the state budget would subsidize JSW employees – they asked the minister.
Unions also questioned the comparison of extraction costs. – Which producers are you comparing JSW to? Are these mines operating in countries with incomparable labor, environmental, and safety standards? Are you comparing a Polish company operating under European regulations with producers from countries where there are serious allegations of violations of workers’ rights, including child labor in the extraction of raw materials such as cobalt in the Congo? – the representative trade union organizations of JSW SA asked.
Call for factual debate
In their statement, the unions emphasized that the debate about JSW’s future should be based on facts, reliable data, and fair comparisons, not on slogans that put thousands of employees in an unfair light. – Miners deserve respect and clear, evidence-based explanations – they concluded.
JSW Group is the only producer of hard coking coal in the European Union and one of the leading producers of coke used in steelmaking. The company is currently fighting for survival amid record-high production costs and falling coal prices. The outspoken reaction from unions underscores the growing tension between the government, management, and workers as the company seeks a way out of its financial crisis.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Materiały prasowe / JSW / Dawid Lach
