− We work continuously with the plans, and we are strengthened in our belief in success. Our estimate now is that over 100 of the current employees will be able to be employed at a partial start-up.
CEO Jan Enno Bicker announced this at a general meeting for the employees of REC Solar in Kristiansand this afternoon.
At the same time, more than 50 employees will probably be made redundant when the layoff period ends on 26 March.
– The employees are hit hard by this decision. We are in an extremely demanding situation that will affect many people and families. We feel that strongly today, says Industri Energi shop steward Andreas Hadland in a press release.
In August last year, it became known that REC Solar Norway was to close down for up to 26 weeks. The background was supposed to be high electricity prices.
In September, production was put on hold, and 200 employees were laid off.
During the layoff period, around 80 employees have resigned and found jobs elsewhere.
No final decisions
At the start of layoffs, REC Solar Norway had around 250 employees in Kristiansand and Porsgrunn.
At a general meeting three weeks ago, it became clear that the management was working towards a partial start-up of the factory.
The employer can lay off employees for a period of up to 26 weeks during an 18-month period.
For REC Solar, this limit was the beginning of March.
At the meeting on Wednesday, Bicker emphasizes that nothing has been finally decided, and that it is the board that will take a decision later in March on a possible proposal for start-up.
– It is unfortunate that the current situation means that we cannot take back all employees. We know that this will create challenges for talented and good colleagues whom we no longer have the opportunity to employ, says Bicker.
At the same time, he is happy that it appears that they can offer work for over 100 employees at a start-up.
CEO Jan Enno Bicker Rec Solar
Photo: Tom Nicolai Kolstad / NRK
The employees have interpreted an extended leave as a positive signal that REC Solar is working to achieve a new start-up.
It has been feared that this general meeting would still bring bad news.
In dialogue about power support
Before the shutdown, Bicker was in dialogue with the authorities about electricity support.
On 22 August, Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) visited REC Solar in Kristiansand.
There he participated in a closed meeting with management, shop stewards and employees.
– It is important that the companies operate at their own expense and risk. If we shift this balance too much and the taxpayers have to stand up when it becomes too difficult, over time it will weaken the productivity and value creation of business in the country, Vestre told NRK after the meeting.
On 4 January this year, the matter was also raised in the Storting’s Question Time.
Then the Minister of Business and Industry stated that it is not the job of the Minister of Business, Industry or the Government to explain to Norwegian private business owners what agreements they should have.
Vestre also added that they have explained all the measures they are taking that will have an effect over time.
Fædrelandsvennen has previously written that REC Solar Norway had a deficit of almost NOK 2.4 billion in 2021, which, according to the newspaper, was four times as much as the income.
