Pope Francis on
Wednesday made an appeal for hundreds of steelworkers who risk
losing their jobs at ThyssenKrupp's Acciai Speciali Terni (AST)
stainless steel plant in Terni.
The pontiff warned the German company that "you don't play
with employment" during his general audience in St Peter's
Square.
ThyssenKrupp wants to cut 550 jobs at the plant in the
central Umbria region as part of a restructuring programme.
But last month it accepted a government appeal to put the
plan on hold so talks could take place after industrial action.
"I express my deep concern for the grave situation that
many families are experiencing in Terni because of the plans of
ThyssenKrupp," said the Argentine pontiff.
"Once again I make a heartfelt appeal so that the logic of
profit does not prevail, but that of solidarity and justice.
"You don't play with employment and those who take work
away for reasons of money and business and to earn more should
know that they are depriving people of dignity".
Francis met around 7,000 steelworkers and other people from
Terni in March and on Sunday a delegation from the city attended
his Angelus address.
The pope has frequently criticized the ill effects of
global capitalism since taking the helm of the Catholic Church
last year and and called on business and political leaders to do
more to create and maintain jobs.
He has warned that a form of "wild capitalism" has taken
hold in some quarters, to the detriment of many, especially the
poor.
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