Zakłady Ceramiczne "Bolesławiec" have begun terminating employment contracts. So far, more than 20 people have received termination notices. Unofficially, it is said that 70 employees are to be dismissed, including people who have permanent contracts.
"We do not give any interviews. Several people received termination notices, but I do not remember how many. They are given to those who are not very effective," Karol Stasik, president of Zakłady Ceramiczne "Bolesławiec," told the IstotneInformacje.pl portal.
The layoffs are presumably caused by the company’s lower export revenues—because the dollar exchange rate is falling—and a huge surplus of employees. Ceramic workers from other plants say unofficially that for Zakłady Ceramiczne "Bolesławiec" to be profitable, it should dismiss not 70 but more than 200 people.
The situation at other companies producing ceramics is not rosy either. Fabryka naczyń kamionkowych "Manufaktura," the third-largest production plant in Bolesławiec, nevertheless wants to retain its current staff. "Last year we made a reduction. We have to manage the company so that we do not have to dismiss any more people," says Paweł Zwierz, co-owner of Manufaktura. Meanwhile, "Ceramika Artystyczna" is preparing to hire some people, although only a few.
"Tomorrow, a meeting with ceramic producers is to be held at the City Hall. The August 'Ceramics Festival' will be discussed, but the financial condition of local plants will also be addressed," says Agnieszka Gergont, the city’s press spokesperson.
More than 1,300 people work for various companies producing ceramics in Bolesławiec.
(KG report)