In recent days, several newspapers and television programs have been highlighting and bringing to the media attention a series of accusations against ENI's management, in relation to some past hydrocarbon extraction projects in Nigeria. These accusations have led to several criminal charges.
On these matters, it is right to respect and await the judicial investigations, which have been ongoing for some time in the Nigerian case; in this sense, we should all abide by the investigation's conclusions, without leaping into preemptive and summary judgments.
However, we consider the conclusions of Giuliano Garavini's article in the April 10 edition of the newspaper "Il Fatto Quotidiano" to be inappropriate and absolutely unacceptable. Garavini theorizes and advocates for the complete privatization of the ENI Group, both to prevent public involvement in presumably illicit activities and due to the Group's "poor economic return" to the country.
Eni is Italy's largest company, exporting professionalism, innovation, and technology worldwide, with a particular focus on developing disadvantaged areas. The Group's investment decisions will be crucial to our economic and employment recovery, both internationally and domestically.
For years, as trade unions, we have been urging the Eni Group to ensure structural investments in the national energy and chemical industries, which are crucial for sustainable development. We have encouraged Eni to maintain ongoing relations with local communities and institutions. We have mobilized thousands of workers for two years, preventing the sale of Versalis (the Group's chemical company). We have signed important agreements for the "green" conversion of the Porto Marghera and Gela refining plants. We are discussing programs for the remediation of industrial sites and the development of renewable energy and sustainable production. All of this takes place within the framework of industrial relations inherent to the ENI system, characterized precisely by the significant public sector presence in ENI's capital.
These things would hardly have been achieved with a company with different ownership structures.
In recent years, for example, we have managed the closure of several refineries (Tamoil in Cremona, Total Erg in Rome Malagrotta, IES in Mantua), signing important agreements that have allowed us to protect workers, albeit from a defensive perspective.
Leaving the state's stake in Eni would mean eliminating public participation in a sector as strategic to the country's future as energy production and distribution.
Public sector involvement is still guaranteed not only at ENI, but also at SAIPEM and SNAM: these are all leading companies that the state must not lose control of, otherwise they will be marginalized in the national and international energy landscape.
In this context, we also defend the skills and professional quality of our workers, who are the main asset of these important companies.
For this reason, we do not share hasty assessments and leave the responsibility of assessing any errors or crimes to the relevant institutions.
The country cannot abandon Eni's role, both in Italy and internationally. We still have many years ahead of us for the use of fossil fuels in the evolutionary transition toward renewable energy independence, and this transition will need to be addressed by strong, structured industrial entities and a still decisive public presence.
Rome, April 12, 2016
The General Secretary of Femca Cisl
Angelo Colombini
