EU Unionists, Including Those from the Czech Republic, Rally in Brussels to Advocate for Industry Rescue

Brussels – Today, hundreds of workers from various EU nations, including the Czech Republic, gathered in Brussels near the European Commission’s headquarters to advocate for the stabilization of European industry. They expressed their frustrations over surging energy costs and ambitious decarbonization goals that they believe are placing a heavy burden on businesses. Approximately 350 individuals traveled from the Czech Republic on seven buses to join the protest, organized by the European trade union center, IndustriALL Europe.

The square in Brussels, positioned between the European Commission and the European Parliament, was bustling with trade union members from Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic, all waving vibrant flags and carrying signs proclaiming messages like “Save Our Steel!”

Among the demonstrators were employees from Třinec Ironworks, who traveled on two buses to the Belgian capital. “We are here to save the steel industry in the European Union, which is facing a crisis threatening jobs,” stated Marcel Pielesz, the chairman of the Třinec trade union, while speaking to Czech reporters in Brussels. “The steel sector supports 310,000 direct jobs and 2.2 million indirect jobs, which is significant. In the past two years, 17 blast furnaces across the EU have shut down, resulting in approximately a 30 percent decline in production,” he noted.

Pielesz attributed the current challenges in the steel industry to multiple factors. “There is significant overcapacity in production, and the ambitious decarbonization targets are placing immense strain on our businesses in the EU,” he explained. He urged the European Commission to consider “clearly slowing down the decarbonization timeline.” “We are not opposed to caring for the environment, but in terms of decarbonization, we need more flexibility and time—not just until 2035,” he added.

Roman Ďurčo, chairman of the KOVO Trade Union, the largest in the Czech Republic, also addressed the crowd. “We decided to support this demonstration because we want to engage in dialogue and work together on solutions for the industry, as we’re all aware of the current situation,” said Ďurčo to Czech reporters in Brussels. He emphasized the need for a “sensible revision” of the Green Deal, which outlines measures for enhanced climate protection. “We are losing jobs, and it is crucial to safeguard the European market. We need to negotiate and alleviate regulations,” he concluded. (February 5)