(see related)
Some 250 million euros in public
money will go towards the rehabilitation of the industrial zone
in the Tuscan city of Piombino, officials in Rome said Thursday.
"The agreement foresees 150 million euros from the Region
of Tuscany and 100 million from the government," Tuscan Governor
Enrico Rossi said heading into a meeting with government
officials to sign a industrial rehab agreement.
The plan however will not keep a local steelworks that
employs 2,000 workers from closing.
Workers there staged a protest Thursday as the blast
furnace was shut down, a day after Pope Francis voiced support
for their plight and called on attendants to his general
audience not to stand by indifferently.
"In our hearts it feels like a death," said Rossi, who said
part of the deal includes severance packages and other benefits.
"The deal aims to refresh hopes in Piombino...and make it
possible to introduce more advanced technology. It's a necessity
that both the government and the region agree upon".
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