Galați steel plant faces collapse, threatening 2,200 jobs

The steel plant in Galați, Romania, is facing a severe crisis that threatens to shut down operations and leave approximately 2,200 employees unemployed. Workers report that many have not received full salaries for several months, with some receiving only partial payments, and meal vouchers have reportedly not been issued for over a year.

The facility, which once employed 40,000 people and produced up to eight million tons of steel annually, is currently operating with all blast furnaces closed. The decline has been exacerbated by rising energy costs and the 2008 economic crisis. Beyond financial instability, employees have raised safety concerns regarding packs of stray dogs roaming the industrial site, reporting at least six incidents of workers being attacked.

The plant's history has been marked by ownership changes and allegations of price inflation by intermediaries. While the state has previously provided financial support and debt relief, the current situation remains uncertain following a near-disconnection from the electrical grid.