What goes on in Poland on the 9th of March.
Another meeting about the social contract to be held this week
„Before the end of this week, another meeting on the social agreement allowing for a stable decarbonization of Silesia in the process of energy transition is to be held. Talks on the social contract defining the principles of transformation of the hard coal mining industry are close to an end,” confirm the representatives of mining unions quoted by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
„On Tuesday, as assumed, another meeting of trade unionists with government representatives on the subject of the social contract was to take place in Katowice. Ultimately, however, it was agreed that the parties would meet again in the second half of the week. Today two working groups – dealing with funds and state aid – will meet online,” PAP reports. „The next round of plenary talks, where the latest version of the draft social contract will be discussed, is tentatively scheduled for next Thursday or Friday. Unions representatives believe that if the unions’ last doubts are resolved, it will probably be possible to sign the document in the following days,” the Agency confirms.
PAP also reports that one of the issues on the table is a new organizational structure of the mining sector. Several options for the consolidation of steam coal mines (excluding Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa, which mainly produces coking coal) are being considered, as confirmed unofficially by trade unions. The most likely variant assumes consolidation on the basis of the largest company – Polska Grupa Górnicza, after 100 percent of its shares are purchased from energy companies by the State Treasury. In another variant, the Treasury would buy not only PGG shares, but also Tauron Wydobycie and shares in Węglokoks Kraj. Another option is to establish a new company, where the shares or assets of these three companies would go, as well as consolidation based on Węglokoks or its subsidiary Węglokoks Kraj.