PS Warns of Domino Effect Following Samsung Plant Closure

Bratislava, 28 February (TASR) - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party warns of a potential domino effect following the announced closure of the Samsung television manufacturing plant in Galanta (Trnava region), with PS leader Michal Simecka calling on the government to intervene and improve the business environment by scrapping the transaction tax and easing the payroll burden, TASR reported on Saturday. "The government must take action. We're facing a potential chain reaction, where companies linked to Samsung may shut down their operations and lay off staff," stressed Simecka, adding that he intends to convene sessions of several parliamentary committees. "We demand answers from the government, as it bears the responsibility for stabilising the situation," he said. PS also intends to ask the government whether it has engaged in any negotiations with Samsung in recent weeks and what solutions are planned. Trnava region governor Jozef Viskupic said the plant's closure was the worst news for the region over the last decade, noting that rumours had been circulating around for some time. According to Viskupic, the government should have addressed the matter during its away-from-home session in Smolenice (Trnava region) on Wednesday (25 February), but "there was no mention of it whatsoever". He added that it is now paramount to prepare a fair transition programme, for example, in the form of reskilling courses. PS vice-chairwoman Simona Petrik also pointed to other companies that have recently announced production shutdown. "It needs to be said that the furniture company called Decodom is also in major trouble, with employees currently idled and awaiting wages," she said, voicing fears that the news about the Samsung plant in Galanta could trigger a domino effect. Samsung Electronics Slovakia officially confirmed on Friday (27 February) that it's decided to close its television manufacturing plant in Galanta. Production will be phased out in several stages by May 2026. The company adopted the decision based on an analysis of its global TV manufacturing network, stating that it isn't related to the business environment in Slovakia or government measures. The logistics centre in the village of Gan near Galanta will continue to operate. On Friday evening, Economy Ministry said it will coordinate further steps in cooperation with the relevant ministries, social partners and Samsung in order to mitigate the impact of the decision on employees as much as possible. The ministry added that it is seeking to ensure the smoothest possible transition of employees to new jobs and is in contact with major investors in Slovakia who have expressed interest in workers affected by the production shutdown. jrg