Steelworkers staged a significant protest in Warsaw against European Union climate policies, claiming these measures jeopardize their industry’s survival. They also criticized the Polish government for not defending their interests.
“Green Deal, Green Deal, forget the Green Deal,” chanted the demonstrators gathered outside parliament on Wednesday afternoon, referencing the EU’s primary climate initiative aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent.
"The steel industry is especially at risk due to its high energy consumption," stated Piotr Duda, leader of Solidarity, Poland's largest trade union and the main organizer of the protest. "I remember the 1990s when 154,000 people worked in the steel sector; now, we have just 21,000," Duda, a former steelworker, noted. "The mood among employees, not just in steel but across our entire economy, reflects a dire situation." Andrzej Karol, head of Solidarity’s steelworkers’ branch, reported that energy costs for industries reliant on power have surged by 80% in Poland over the past five years. He also mentioned that since 2023, 1,200 steelworkers have lost their jobs due to mass layoffs.
The protesters are calling for a price cap of €60 per megawatt-hour for electricity used in energy-intensive industries, a stop to mass layoffs, and a comprehensive review of the Green Deal, particularly the EU's emissions trading system aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They also seek measures to protect the European market from an influx of steel products from non-EU countries that are not subject to EU regulations and climate fees.
"All the issues plaguing Polish steel mills stem from the Green Deal," stated Dominik Kolorz, leader of Solidarity in the Silesian-Dąbrowa region. "It is the responsibility of [Prime Minister] Donald Tusk's government to address the demands we are presenting here."
Earlier this month, the government’s industry ministry announced its plans to develop an “action plan for the sustainable development of the steel industry.” Additionally, it stated that it is advocating for new EU regulations regarding state aid for industries, particularly for energy-intensive sectors like steel.
During today’s demonstration, Duda highlighted that steelworkers are the latest group to join a growing list of industries—including farmers, energy workers, and miners—protesting in Poland against the Green Deal and other climate policies. His trade union has been gathering signatures to support a motion for a national referendum on the Green Deal. “Solidarity was correct in asserting that climate policy poses a threat to the Polish and European economies, as well as to every EU citizen,” Duda remarked. “Unfortunately, this is exactly what is occurring.”
He also criticized Prime Minister Donald Tusk for doing “nothing” to resolve the situation. While in opposition, Tusk advocated for stronger measures to combat climate change. However, last year, he assured farmers protesting against EU climate policies that he would push Brussels to suspend or withdraw certain aspects of the Green Deal. Additionally, Tusk’s government has made minimal progress in delivering on its commitments to expedite Poland’s shift away from coal, which is the primary source of the country’s electricity.
