Tata Steel, the Indian-owned steelmaking giant, has revealed plans to eliminate 800 jobs at its struggling plant in the Netherlands. The decision aims to “improve market conditions and bring down costs” as the steel market continues to face challenges.
In a statement, Tata Steel noted, “The steel market has been in dire straits for some time. In order to remain structurally competitive and profitable now and in the future, Tata Steel Netherlands is taking significant measures, including a reduction of 800 jobs in IJmuiden,” located near Amsterdam.
The job cuts will impact around 500 full-time workers, primarily in management, staff, and support functions, along with an additional 300 temporary positions. The company acknowledged the possibility of forced redundancies and expressed its intention to discuss a social plan with the unions.
The IJmuiden plant, with over 9,200 employees, has faced criticism from Dutch residents and health authorities for being a major source of air, soil, and water pollution, allegedly causing health issues in the area. Tata Steel is confronting legal claims, and Dutch prosecutors initiated a criminal probe last year into potential “intentional and unlawful” pollution.
Furthermore, Dutch emission authorities have identified the Tata Steel site as one of the largest CO2 emitters in the country.
This announcement follows the UK government’s commitment in September to invest £500 million ($621 million) to support the production of “greener” steel at Tata Steel’s Talbot plant, the largest steelworks in Britain. However, this move puts 3,000 jobs at risk in the UK.
