Opposition: Gov't Politically Responsible Over Possible Samsung Plant Closure

Bratislava, 27 February (TASR) - The government bears political responsibility for the possible closure of the television manufacturing plant in Galanta, representatives of the opposition declared on Friday. The departure of Samsung from Galanta would represent an enormous human and economic tragedy for Slovakia, according to Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka. The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) said it would be a direct consequence of the deteriorating business environment. "According to our information, the company has already contacted its suppliers saying it is ending operations. If this information is confirmed, it will be an extremely serious situation for the whole region and for the Slovak economy," Simecka stressed. Simecka also wondered whether Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has even met representatives of Samsung and whether he has tried to avert this threat. KDH chair Milan Majersky spoke of a failure of the current cabinet. KDH vice-chair Viliam Karas described reports of Samsung's possible departure as a harsh verdict on the government's economic policy. "When the largest electrical engineering manufacturer leaves the country after a quarter of a century, it is not a coincidence. It is the result of bad decisions," he emphasised. At a press conference, Karas said these were grounds for the prime minister to hand over the administration of the state to a new political leadership. According to the head of the 'Slovakia'-For the People parliamentary caucus Michal Sipos, more than 1,600 people will lose their jobs. "Eight hundred are directly employed at the factory and another 800 work as subcontractors in various companies," he said. The party also pointed out that the end of television production in Galanta is not an isolated case. 'Slovakia' called on the government to immediately start addressing the situation in industry, reduce the tax and levy burden and adopt concrete measures to stabilise the business environment. In view of MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia' -For the People), the potential closure is bad news for Slovakia. "It is a perfect illustration of how Fico imagines support for the business environment - driving significant value-added companies out of Slovakia," she noted. MP for Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) Martina Bajo Holeckova said Samsung is leaving Galanta due to high labour costs, high taxes and high energy prices. She called on the government to seek solutions for people who will lose their jobs. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said at a press conference that Samsung is considering reviewing production capacities at its factories. According to the prime minister, approximately 750 employees work at the Samsung production plant in Galanta. The company's plan to reduce the number of plants and jobs was also confirmed by the Metalworkers' Trade Union (OZ KOVO). Samsung Electronics Slovakia opened its production plant in Galanta in July 2003. A logistics and distribution centre was later added in the village of Gan. At the turn of 2007 and 2008, the South Korean company also opened a production plant in the industrial park in Voderady. In 2018, it decided to close it. mf