A conflict is escalating in Cartagena’s industrial zone that could become one of the most high-profile labor disputes in Murcia in recent years. Workers at the Sabic plant, which produces polycarbonate resins, have announced a series of strikes and protests. The reason is the closure of the key Lexan 1 line and mass layoffs following the sale of the business to the German fund Mutares. Hundreds of families are on the verge of losing their livelihoods, and tensions at the plant are reaching a boiling point.
Sabic employees are openly accusing management of manipulation and concealing their true plans. According to them, the company is deliberately stalling negotiations to shut down production and dismiss workers without offering adequate social guarantees. The workforce demands immediate dialogue with the head office in the Netherlands and insists on the involvement of independent lawyers paid for by the company. Otherwise, they promise to ramp up pressure and are not ruling out round-the-clock protests at the plant’s entrance.
Industrial strike
The protest plan is laid out by day: work stoppages are scheduled for January 30 and 31, as well as February 6 and 7. A major demonstration is planned for February 3, marching from the city’s main square to the regional parliament building. If management refuses to compromise, from February 9 workers are prepared to set up a tent camp right at the plant gates. Unions and several regional political groups have already voiced their support for the protesters.
The visit of Sabic and Mutares top managers to Cartagena only added fuel to the fire. The meeting with Roger Bosch, Vice President for Thermoplastics in Western Europe, took place amid whistles, smoke flares, and banners accusing them of lying. Workers do not trust the promises to preserve jobs until 2026 and fear that once the deal is finalized, they will simply be dismissed and production will be relocated to Saudi Arabia.
Layoffs and consequences
Lexan 1 is not just a factory, but a city-forming enterprise for Cartagena. Around 350–370 people work here directly, and thousands more are employed in related companies. After Sabic sold the plant to the German fund Mutares, the closure of Lexan 1 became a matter of time. Official notice of termination has already been sent to the labor inspectorate. Workers fear the new owner is not interested in long-term development, but only in quick profits through cost-cutting.
Sabic’s story in Cartagena is one of gradual decline. Back in 2019, the site had four plants and 800 employees. After a series of layoffs and the closure of Lexan 2 in 2023, only two production lines and about 500 workers remain. Now, not only their future is at risk, but also the economic stability of the entire region.
Accusations and demands
The Sabic unions and workers make no secret of their outrage. They believe the company is deliberately heading for closure to offload its social obligations and transfer assets to a fund that offers no employment guarantees. Their demands are straightforward: transparent negotiations, social safeguards, and legal support at the employer’s expense. Workers are firmly against a scenario where they work another year or two, only to find themselves out on the street without compensation.
The situation around Sabic has become a litmus test for the entire Murcian industry. If a major international player can so easily lay off hundreds of employees, similar schemes could be repeated at other companies in the region. Workers are calling on the authorities to step in and prevent Cartagena from turning into an industrial wasteland.
Economic challenge
The closure of Lexan 1 is a blow not only to the workers but also to dozens of contractors, suppliers, and small businesses that depend on the plant. According to union estimates, up to 3,000 jobs are at risk when considering indirect employment. In a region where industry is one of the few stable sources of income, such losses could lead to social tension and a youth exodus.
While Sabic and Mutares remain silent, workers continue to fight for their rights. Their determination is unquestionable: if there is no dialogue, Cartagena will see new waves of protests, and the region’s industrial sector will face a serious test.
