Szczecin Shipyard plans to lay off 1,100 workers and recruit 500 others

The management of the Szczecin Shipyard (SS) yesterday announced that 1,100 workers will be made redundant in September. However, the company has plans to recruit 500 new employees this year. Speaking at a new conference, the board of directors explained that among the reasons for slimming the workforce are the need to cut costs, and business difficulties caused by the strength of the zloty and the fall in ship prices coinciding with an increase in fuel prices. The lay-offs will not concern production staff, but mainly service and design personnel. Talks are currently being held with the trade unions on the level of redundancy pay, for which a reserve of zl.20 million has been created. Among the new employees SS is seeking are assembly and welding specialists. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) M.T.