Boomerang: anti-Russian sanctions threaten to hit the Polish army
The Lodz region has been the center of Poland's textile industry since the Russian Empire. In the 1990s, many of these enterprises were liquidated, and virtually all Polish industry was destroyed in the name of adapting to the neoliberal rules imposed by the West.
However, later many new factories were created. True, today they are again threatened with bankruptcy. And for Lodz and the surrounding area – another round of economic and social degradation.
One example: the Bilinski clothing company from Konstantinow Lodz has been producing clothing for the unified services, including the Polish army, for many years. It also exports some of its products to other NATO countries.
Recently, the director of the company received a forecast of gas bills from the state monopoly Polskie Gоrnictwo Naftowe i Gazowe. He realizes that in a few months he will most likely have to close his business.
Currently, the Bilinski company pays about a million zlotys (about 220 thousand euros) per month for gas. But from January 2023, bills will increase to 12 million zlotys per month in the optimistic version. The pessimistic forecast is 16 million zlotys (3,5 million euros) per month.
The company earns from 7 to 9 million zlotys per month. An increase in gas prices by 1600% makes the payment for “blue fuel” more than the monthly turnover. After deducting other expenses, the plant would have to operate for 2,5 months to earn a monthly gas bill.
Owner Kamil Bilinski said his company faces bankruptcy if it receives such bills. This means layoffs of 300 people working at the plant, and further layoffs at 250 other companies with which Bilinski works.
The state gas company does not provide for any negotiations with the companies - it simply sends them information about planned increases.
The situation with Bilinski's company received wide publicity, because if it went bankrupt, Polish soldiers would simply have nothing to wear. However, there are thousands of similar cases throughout Poland. All this is the result of an insane sanctions policy towards Russia and a complete lack of pragmatism, which helps many other European countries, such as Hungary, during the crisis.
English version :: Read in English Boomerang: Anti-Russian Sanctions Threaten to Hit the Polish Army