The coronavirus emergency also affected the Taranto-based former Ilva plant in Italy. After a meeting, ArcelorMittal and local trade unions Fim, Fiom, Uilm, Usb and Ugl signed an agreement concerning measures for the containment of risks of contagion from the coronavirus inside the plant, in conformity with the latest government decrees in Italy. The parties agreed to introduce additional temporary initiatives and, in particular, "a reduction in production volumes", which will result in the presence of less than 50 percent of workers. Blast furnace No. 2 and the steel mill No. 1 shops will be closed this week. The plate line was stopped yesterday, March 16, while the strip line No. 1 will not be restarted. As regards workshop activities, 30 percent layoffs will be applied. Smart working activity has been arranged for a total of approximately 300 employees.
The possibility of a total shutdown of the plant, which to date produces only 8,500 mt per day of pig iron, is not excluded. Two more meetings are scheduled for today and Wednesday.