A heated debate is unfolding in Spain over the future of Tubos Reunidos, one of the country’s largest metallurgical companies. The decision to potentially lay off 301 employees has sparked widespread discussion, as hundreds of jobs and the fate of an entire sector are at stake. EH Bildu’s initiative has become the focal point, proposing additional public funding for the company, despite Tubos Reunidos already receiving a substantial loan from SEPI and being mentioned in the Leire Díez investigation.
Causes of the crisis
Bildu has officially registered a proposal in Congress for new support measures for Tubos Reunidos. In the document, the party fully backs the company’s management, arguing that the main cause of the crisis was the steel tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration in the United States. According to the authors of the initiative, these restrictions led to a sharp decline in exports to the US, which negatively affected the company’s financial performance. At the same time, trade unions and some experts point out that Bildu’s explanation overlooks the recent state loan of 112.8 million euros granted by SEPI, as well as other forms of support Tubos Reunidos had previously received.
According to RUSSPAIN.COM, Tubos Reunidos ended last year with a loss of €71.3 million and total debt of €263.2 million. Half of this sum comes from a SEPI loan granted in 2021. Despite such substantial financial backing, the company is once again seeking support, while Bildu insists on additional measures to prevent mass layoffs.
The Parties’ Positions
The Bildu proposal also emphasizes that energy costs remain one of the main challenges for Spanish industry. Although the country has advantages in renewable energy, these, according to the party, are not reflected in electricity prices for major industrial consumers. As a result, Tubos Reunidos is forced to pay more than its foreign competitors, which further complicates the situation.
On the other hand, the ESK union believes that Tubos Reunidos has enjoyed a special relationship with the authorities for many years. In their view, the company regularly received state loans, subsidies, and other forms of support, as well as repeatedly resorted to temporary staff cuts even during profitable periods. ESK representatives stress that the current crisis is caused not only by external factors but also by the company’s internal management decisions.
Investigation and Political Background
The issue of additional support for Tubos Reunidos is complicated by the company’s involvement in the Leire Díez case investigation. Authorities suspect that the Hirurok group, which includes Leire Díez, Antxón Alonso, and former SEPI president Vicente Fernández, may have received compensation for facilitating a large loan to the company. According to a source, the amount in question is €114,950, which the group members are believed to have received for their services.
Despite these circumstances, Bildu does not mention the investigation in its proposal, insisting on the urgent need for measures to preserve jobs. The party suggests using mechanisms set out in the national recovery plan and in a special law designed to support companies affected by trade restrictions. Additionally, Bildu calls on the European Union to adopt a tough stance in response to US tariffs.
Public Reaction and Protests
So far, negotiations between Tubos Reunidos management and the unions have produced no results. ESK representatives point out that the company has not provided specific details on its debt restructuring plans and offered no guarantees about employees’ futures in the event of potential layoffs. Amid uncertainty, workers from both factories—in Amurrio and Trapagaran—held protests outside the government building in Bilbao and declared strikes.
The issue of government subsidies and transparency in their allocation remains one of the most pressing topics in Spanish politics. Such situations have repeatedly sparked public debate, as was the case in Valencia, where the overlap of a women’s demonstration and the city’s fireworks display provoked a strong reaction and demands for explanations from the authorities according to RUSSPAIN.COM.
In recent years, Spain has seen an increase in cases where large companies, facing external challenges or internal problems, seek additional support from the government. These situations are often accompanied by worker protests, investigations, and political disputes. The question of how to distribute public resources and what conditions should accompany such measures remains unresolved, fueling growing debates in society.
