ENI has reiterated its desire to concentrate its activities onthere research, production and extraction of oil and gas, effectively exiting the control of SAIPEM, and announcing the possibility of selling the majority share of VERSALIS (chemicals) and for GAS & POWER of the Retail gas part.
These choices result in a reduction of ENI's industrial presence in the country in extraction activities only, while the refining of petroleum products is in serious difficulty starting from the plans for the reconversion of bio-refineries.
In particular, the possible sale of the majority share to a fund and therefore the control of VERSALIS' chemical activities, risks calling into question the production structures of traditional chemistry starting from the Cracker in Porto Marghera, the investments planned also in Ferrara and the employment of a sector rightly considered strategic at a European level for the manufacturing industry. The entire new green chemistry supply chain is called into question by freezing the projects of Porto Torres, Gela and Porto Marghera.
The Government must not allow this to happen. Instead of worrying only about making money by selling the family jewels, it must support the strengthening of the manufacturing industry to ensure economic growth and provide concrete answers to the employment problem.
Maintaining public control of ENI and VERSALIS chemicals, strengthening research and innovation as fundamental elements of competitiveness, ensuring growth with investments and alliances functional to the development of individual businesses and the implementation of the planned Industrial Plans, are the elements on which to act to create value both for the company and for the country.
ENI must continue to be the backbone of our Italian manufacturing industry. FILCTEM CGIL, FEMCA CISL, UILTEC UIL, strongly opposed to this prospect of industrial disengagement of ENI in Italy, intend to open a dialogue with the company and the Government and continue with the protest initiatives, with a national demonstration on 17 December 2015 in S. Donato Milanese. An 8-hour national strike initiative will also be carried out on 20 January 2016 for all companies of the Eni group.
