Di Maio and the Bekaert case (recess is over). Is it the Europe we want?

The facts are disarmingly simple (and tragic). On June 22, the headquarters of the Bekaert group (mainly the Belgian capital, which expresses the president Bert De Graeve, while the general manager is the English, Matthew Taylor) communicates the closure (in 75 days, with cruel overlap to summer holidays) of the group's historic Tuscan settlement, active for decades and acquired by the Pirelli Group five years ago.

The situation had already shown signs of deterioration in recent months, visible, just to give an example, when the company decided in April not to renew 23 temporary employment contracts. The motivation is the most obvious, the simplest and the most disarming, ie the management costs (and personnel) too high, as the official statement clearly states: " The competitive position of the Figline entity has been under pressure in recent years.The factory has not been able to generate a financially sustainable performance. "

Thus, the Firm firm (318 jobs disappear) for lack of orders, but because it moves its productions to more profitable locations. And what are these places?

First and foremost (and this is perfectly understandable) in the expanding new markets, including that of the Brazilian giant, the second largest economy of the American continent. Here too, an official statement comes to the rescue (June 20 ironically): "The management of Belgo Mineira Bekaert Artefatos of Arame Ltda (BMB), owned 55.5 / 44.5% by ArcelorMittal and Bekaert, has announced its expansion plans for the Itaúna plant in Minas Gerais, Brazil

BMB will install a fully integrated manufacturing entity and will become a manufacturing entity fully integrated.In addition, a 35% tire production capacity will be added to allow BMBs to increase their current market share in the region.The investment of 33 million USD will be spread over three years and will include construction and infrastructure.In other words, $ 33 million investment in Brazil with 200 new jobs in the region. "

There is, because There is a lot to do in these areas, there is a young population and expanding, looking for a better standard of living. But there is also a second aspect to take into account, which has emerged gradually over the past two years and has been found by many Bekaert workers itself

And that is the unyielding implementation from a strategy of moving Italian productions to cheaper establishments. on the continent, notably Romania and Slovakia. Two EU countries, welcomed in the last big wave of 2004-2007, which adds 12 new members to the big European family

Here, the story takes different contours and imposes very bitter considerations and unsustainable questions about who we are, we should have been, we want to become. What is this Europe if a European (Belgian) firm closes European factories (Italian) destroying the work of the (Italian) EU to create a new EU (Slovak or Romanian)?

One could answer "that's the competition". Orders go to those who are more efficient, competitive, modern. But things are not like that, whether you like it or not poppies Brussels. Romania and Slovakia have been helped by other countries to enter Europe, in this history there is also the money of the Italian taxpayers.

The Bekaert took advantage of the EU's expansion and the Italians' money (if ill-treated). The end result, however, is that this Europe fails (and does not want to) to prevent this devastating internal competition, which poisons the hearts and minds of the citizens of all the member countries, now exasperated and led to vote more often for protest movements

Without corrective tools, it is obvious that under the same fiscal, administrative and commercial conditions, a company will produce where it is cheaper. And as the cost of living in Slovakia and Romania is lower than in Italy, the circle is closing.

This Europe actually encourages all forms of internal competition (leaving it as a stimulus for the free market), leaving companies (such as Bekaert) to choose for the exclusive benefit of the quarterly financial statements so dear to international finance, bonuses awarded to managers closing the plants. And then we ask Italians if they have something to say about it

The first is the minister Di Maio, twice competent (Labor and economic development). How do you plan to act, inside and outside national borders? Instead of flaunting comfort (like the 30 minutes of internet connection) or searching through different versions of the "dignity" decree, would not it be possible to devote oneself to serious and urgent things?

Is not this the theme? that immigration is now definitely clear that we will have to fend for ourselves? The honeymoon is exhausted, the new leaders (come to power with a certain daring) must show what they are made, starting with the "political leader" of the M5S.

Then, of course, we should also ask Prodi, Draghi, Tajani, Mogherini, Renzi, Calenda and, of course, Conte and Salvini a few questions. But this match is in the hands of Di Maio, the game is over.

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Actions and reports by Luigi Di Maio. Photos of Umberto Pizzi