FOLLOW LIVE – Tata Steel employees demonstrate, debate in House of Representatives | Inland

Follow the demonstration and debate below via the tweets of reporter Marieke van Essen and parliamentary reporter Mike Muller.

The National Institute already concluded this month that too many heavy metals and hazardous substances can be measured in the area around Tata Steel.

Exposure to the amounts of lead in the IJmond even poses a risk to the health of children. Not only the lead content, but also the number of carcinogenic PA particles is irresponsibly high, according to the RIVM. In the long run, it will lead to more cancer cases in people who are exposed to it, it was stated. RIVM saw that the closer one measures to the factory, the more toxic substances are found.

In addition to emitting metals and pak’s, Tata also emits a lot of CO2. For a long time it was thought that by capturing and storing this greenhouse gas in empty gas fields, rapid climate gains could be achieved. A permit procedure has been set up for this. RIVM is now calling for additional research before new decisions are taken about the installations.

The House of Representatives wants the outgoing cabinet to take steps quickly to make Tata Steel work cleaner and more sustainably. Several parties say that if necessary, the government should invest money in the steel factory itself, by taking an interest. Continuing on the current footing is not an option for either party.

VVD MP Silvio Erkens believes that Tata Steel should quickly switch to green steel production. Minister Stef Blok (Economic Affairs) must investigate the options for paying for this. Erkens calls it “crucial for our future employment and prosperity” that this industry is preserved for the Netherlands. He does not want to become dependent on the import of steel from China , for example .

Erkens notes that the Indian parent company does not intend to invest any longer in the IJmuiden site. That is why Blok must consult, among others with the company itself and the European Commission, to see how sustainability can then be paid for. In the worst case scenario, the government should take an interest itself, he believes.

The VVD member receives support on this point from, among others, Joris Thijssen (PvdA). He also envisions a scenario in which the government, as a shareholder, contributes to making the steel factory in IJmuiden more sustainable. Green steel production is ‘technically feasible’, says Thijssen. But he points out that something must also be done about the emission of harmful substances in the short term.

Henri Bontenbal (CDA) also believes that such an investment in shares should be considered by the government. The only alternative is closure and that will cost thousands of jobs. “And the dismantling is not free,” Bontenbal warns.

Tom van der Lee (GroenLinks) is less enthusiastic. He doesn’t want to rule out a public investment, but it’s not his first option. He would rather force the parent company to invest itself. “We have not yet exhausted all possibilities to put pressure on Tata,” he says.

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