On Friday the management of ArcelorMittal Poland will meet with workers' unions to talk about job cuts and wage hikes.

Anticipating a crisis in the steel market, Arcelor Mittal wants to reduce employment by 1,450 workers, but hopes much of this can be achieved through workers leaving voluntarily.

Thus, some 15 percent out of over 10,000 current employees have been given an option of voluntary early retirement, Puls Biznesu reported, citing a trade union representative. Workers choosing this course will receive payments for the period they are not in work, until their retirement payments start.

Unions, meanwhile, have been asking for an 8 percent pay rise for workers, but if they manage to come to terms with management their wages may go up by just 5 percent – due to management's negotiating stance, Puls Biznesu reported. As a result, the average salary at ArcelorMittal will amount to zł.5,000.

Poland A.M.