Next week will mark two years since the definitive closure of the Nissan plant. Free zone From Barcelona. A closure that brings to an end and leaves behind the decades-long history of Catalan and Spanish motorsport 2,525 workers on the street. Half headed for retirement, while the other half signed up for a reindustrialization project that had not yet begun two years later.
The final decision by Chinese carmaker Chery will determine whether it continues to assemble cars on a large scale in the Free Trade Zone, or whether its project to establish an electromobility ‘hub’ stalls before it can even get off the ground. A decision described by the different parties involved in the negotiations for weeks as follows: “close”, but this has not yet been produced.
Time is of the essence, and workers who cannot find work while waiting to be called for reindustrialization will have their final unemployment benefits expire at the latest. December 31. Currently, of the 1,300 former employees who remained active after Nissan closed, only 200 have been placed in reindustrialization projects. The rest are either receiving unemployment benefits or looking for other jobs on their own while they wait.
According to the same sources interviewed, the chances of this interest, which has already been expressed by the Chinese, materializing before the end of the year are slim and sentiments are a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism. “Talks are ongoing“They insist on this D-HubResponsible for reindustrialization and reaching agreement on Chery’s suitability for the future of the Free Trade Zone.
The order to shut down Nissan came from Asia, and hopes of producing automobiles again came from Asia. There have also been disappointments in Asia in Nissan’s search for a successor. “We took a hit from Great Wall Motors,” recalls SIGEM-SIR USOC secretary general: Michael Ruiz. Concerns shared by sources consulted from UGT and CCOO. Initially, the biggest claim of the administrations and unions to fill the gap of the Japanese was the Chinese manufacturer, which was one of the most important in its own market and wanted to open up to the European market.
But his interest did not materialise, and this disappointment led to the emergence of D-Hub, a project of two Catalan consultancies, which (following a deal with real estate investor Goodman) found its home in the former Nissan territory. Now D-Hub executives are trying to reach an agreement with Chery to produce its vehicles and turn the Free Zone into the gateway to the European market. Although precedents are not encouraging, Chery had threatened to settle in Catalonia a decade ago, including during then-president José Montilla’s visit to China. Although the talks were not successful.
Management is taking action
He now became the Minister of Trade and Labor. roger torrentHe traveled to China, where he held a meeting with Chery leaders in mid-October to expedite his landing in Barcelona. For the Generalitat of Catalonia, it is a priority to successfully solve this problem, after clearly investing in the D-Hub option for the re-industrialization of the Free Trade Zone and helping them do this through various financial payments. Company Secretary, Albert CastellanosHe’s been dwelling on this issue and the Treball issue for months, Enric Vinaixabrokered education-related aid.
The government wants Chery to come in, is working to solidify the project in the long term and is exploring formulas that will enable the relationship between the Chinese and D-Hub to go beyond an occasional vehicle setup. The changes at the Ministry of Industry caused by the early elections have not made moves from these areas easier at this point, but Chery also looked to Barcelona’s new minister and former mayor. Jordi HereuAn interlocutor with whom assistance and favorable conditions will be negotiated to make the Catalan capital a pioneer of the European market.
Meeting with Hereu
This week Chery’s vice president held a meeting with Hereu in Madrid to address this issue, as confirmed by the minister’s team. They refuse to provide any details about the content of the meeting. They also do not give details about D-Hub who was present at that meeting. “Progress is being made in the talks and negotiations,” they insist. The industry is expected to make new incentive calls through PERTE in the first quarter of 2024.
Next February 1 D-Hub has committed to employ 606 former Nissan employees (330 in dual vocational training and 276 in CONFORCAT training) with a training contract and salary. 1,575 euros gross (equivalent to maximum unemployment benefit). Conditions are clearly below those of two years ago, but temporary, as by October there will be a significant jump in the quality of these contracts and the metal contract will be subject to plus 20%. But in order for these 660 former employees to have an activity that justifies their salaries, they need the industrial orders that Chery has said it wants to place.