Shell Moerdijk employees face uncertainty as unions demand clarity

Labor unions FNV and CNV are demanding clarity from Shell regarding the future of its chemical complex in Moerdijk, Netherlands. Employees are facing significant uncertainty due to speculation surrounding the potential sale, split, or total closure of the facility as Shell seeks to divest from its chemical activities.

A survey conducted by the unions indicates that more than half of the workforce is seeking immediate transparency and guarantees regarding their employment. The unions are calling for the establishment of a social plan to protect workers in the event of a reorganization or site closure.

The Moerdijk complex is one of the largest chemical sites in Europe, covering 325 hectares and employing approximately 1,400 people. Union leaders Elsa van der Kraats (FNV) and Aron Foppen (CNV) stated that it is “indecent” that those keeping the complex operational are being excluded from discussions about its future, emphasizing that workers should not bear the consequences of the company’s strategic decisions.