This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6956549.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Poland fights for Gdansk shipyard | Poland fights for Gdansk shipyard |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The future of Poland's iconic Gdansk shipyard remains in doubt as a key European Union (EU) deadline approaches for the site to reduce its capacity. | The future of Poland's iconic Gdansk shipyard remains in doubt as a key European Union (EU) deadline approaches for the site to reduce its capacity. |
Brussels has given Poland until the end of Tuesday to either close two of Gdansk's three slipways or else repay 51m euros ($69m; £35m) of European aid. | Brussels has given Poland until the end of Tuesday to either close two of Gdansk's three slipways or else repay 51m euros ($69m; £35m) of European aid. |
EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes is now studying Poland's calls to keep open two slipways at Gdansk. | EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes is now studying Poland's calls to keep open two slipways at Gdansk. |
The shipyard is the birth place of the celebrated Solidarity trade union. | The shipyard is the birth place of the celebrated Solidarity trade union. |
Solidarity founder Lech Walesa said he would consider it a "personal failure" if the Gdansk shipyard was not saved. | Solidarity founder Lech Walesa said he would consider it a "personal failure" if the Gdansk shipyard was not saved. |
Anti-communist vanguard | Anti-communist vanguard |
Back in 1980, a strike by 17,000 ship builders at Gdansk saw Solidarity recognised as the first non-communist trade union in the then Soviet Eastern Bloc. | Back in 1980, a strike by 17,000 ship builders at Gdansk saw Solidarity recognised as the first non-communist trade union in the then Soviet Eastern Bloc. |
The move was one of the first successful steps that led to the eventual collapse of communism, not just in Poland but Eastern Europe as a whole. | The move was one of the first successful steps that led to the eventual collapse of communism, not just in Poland but Eastern Europe as a whole. |
Under communism Gdansk could count on regular work from the Soviet Union, but it has struggled to compete in the post-communist free market and now employs 3,000 people. | |
Solidarity's struggle helped inspire numerous anti-Soviet movements | Solidarity's struggle helped inspire numerous anti-Soviet movements |
The historical importance of the Gdansk shipyard is a central reason why the Polish government is loath to see its capacity cut too deeply. | The historical importance of the Gdansk shipyard is a central reason why the Polish government is loath to see its capacity cut too deeply. |
The government argues that leaving Gdansk with just one slipway would turn it into "a tiny company instead of a shipyard". | The government argues that leaving Gdansk with just one slipway would turn it into "a tiny company instead of a shipyard". |
However, under EU rules, state aid for struggling shipyards can only be granted if it is accompanied by extensive cost-cutting aimed at restoring long-term viability. | However, under EU rules, state aid for struggling shipyards can only be granted if it is accompanied by extensive cost-cutting aimed at restoring long-term viability. |
Another condition is that private investors must be brought on board. | Another condition is that private investors must be brought on board. |
Without such moves, the EU insists that the aid paid to Gdansk is illegal and therefore needs to be repaid. | Without such moves, the EU insists that the aid paid to Gdansk is illegal and therefore needs to be repaid. |
Reports suggest that Ukrainian company Donbas, Italian shipbuilder FVH, and Middle Eastern investors are interested in taking over the Gdansk site. | Reports suggest that Ukrainian company Donbas, Italian shipbuilder FVH, and Middle Eastern investors are interested in taking over the Gdansk site. |
Previous version
1
Next version