Unions place high demands on AB Sanitas during Jelfa acquisition talks

AB Sanitas offered the highest price per share, zł.87.10. Currently the employees social packages are being discussed. Trade unions demand, among others, ten-year employment guarantees for the 1,000 strong staff, compensations for sacked employees, as well as Christmas, Easter and several other bonuses. "The company has not stated explicitly how long it is willing to operate on Polish market. Most of the employees work to support their families and children. The employment guarantees would assure us that the company is trustworthy and serious about its intentions," said Antoni Grochowski, head of the union in Jelfa. While the union's demands are understandable, experts say that they lower budget income. "When buying a state-owned company, the investor lowers the price by subtracting the amount he would spend on social benefits for the staff. This means less money for the budget," said Jeremi Mordasewicz, PKPP Lewiatan expert. Benefits for Jelfa's employees would cost AB Sanitas tens of millions of złotys. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 25) D.W.