WILLEMSTAD - Damen Shiprepair employees gathered at the gates of the company this morning. The staff is protesting the announced mass layoff.
This morning it will be announced how many employees at Damen will be laid off. Those on the list will receive a call during the day.
Yesterday the staff also gathered at the entrance of Damen. Union leader Angelo Meyer drummed up the workers. The PWFC union, which represents the staff, finds the news sour. Especially since they were recently told that Damen will receive a capital injection of 40 million dollars.
The Minister of Economic Development Ruisandro Cijntje will meet with the Damen management today.
Jobs are also at risk at CPA subsidiary KTK Tugs. According to PWFC, 20 employees are likely to be dismissed this year. KTK was very dependent on the refinery's operations. Since the contract with the Venezuelan State company PdVSA expired, the company has been going through a financially difficult period. Especially now that the restart of the refinery is delayed.