Arpechim: Romania’s Oltchim Might Take Over Part Of Refinery’s Employees

If the deal goes through, part of Arpechim’s employees will be taken over by Oltchim, the refinery’s managers said.

Petrom grouped all the Arpechim petro-chemistry operations in a company called Petrochemical Arges.

Petrom confirmed it is negotiating with Oltchim on the sale of Arpechim petro-chemistry operations and wants to close the deal as soon as possible, if Oltchim gets the necessary financing. Oltchim announced Friday it plans to take a EUR100 million loan to buy Arpechim’s petrochemical activity.

"The agreement that part of Arpechim’s employees would be transferred to Oltchim Ramnicu Valcea through Petrochemical is off and the staff transfer will be made directly to Oltchim, following discussions and negotiations," Arpechim’s general manager Gunther Schwartz said Monday, after meeting part of the protesters.

He added that he did not know when the discussion between Petrom and Oltchim as regards Arpechim’s petrochemical activity would be completed.

According to Schwartz, if the new employer plans to sack part of Arpechim’s personnel, peopel would receive severance pay in two phases, respectively 50% of the sum on the spot and the rest of the money in six months to three years.

Petrom’s managers told MEDIAFAX Monday that they will observe the employees’ rights in the negotiations with Oltchim.

The protesters say they have the right to receive 12 to 16 compensatory salaries in case of layoffs, according to the Collective Labor Contract.

At the time of publishing the news, the protest at Arpechim refinery was ceased.

Approximately 300 employees of Arpechim protested Monday against the management’s decision to transfer part of them to a private company operating on Arpechim’s platform, Petrochemical Arges, concerned they might lose their jobs.

Petrom does not plan to invest in upgrades at Arpechim, but wants to continue to operate the refinery.