ANSA reported that ArcelorMittal steel group has sacked a worker at its controversial and polluting ex-ILVA plant in Taranto because he urged people to watch a TV mini-series on pollution at a steel plant. The sacked worker, Riccardo Cristello, appears likely to be rehired after talks between the company and the labour ministry. The three-part serial, Svegliati amore mio (Wake Up My Love), directed by Simona Izzo and Ricky Tognazzi, was broadcast on the flagship Berlusconi channel Canale 5 from 24 March to 7 April. It is based on the true story of a mother who starts a campaign against a polluting steel plant after her daughter comes down with leukaemia. Pollution has long been a problem at the former ILVA works at Taranto, Europe's largest, and has been linked to higher than normal cancer rates in the Puglia city, especially among children. ArcelorMittal Italia on 3 April said that it recognizes and respects the artistic and social relevance of the film and television industry, as well as any other form of artistic and cultural expression. It said “With regard to the news circulated in the press and online in these hours, about the disciplinary action and precautionary suspension of two employees of the Taranto steel plant, it is specified that these measures have been adopted not for having written comments on the fiction movie Svegliati amore mio (Wake up my love), but for having denigrated the company itself and its management, also through statements of a harmful and threatening nature. The company deplores the distribution of false and unverified news which in turn can damage its image but above all cause alarm and confusion among workers and the population.
ANSA reported that ArcelorMittal steel group has sacked a worker at its controversial and polluting ex-ILVA plant in Taranto because he urged people to watch a TV mini-series on pollution at a steel plant. The sacked worker, Riccardo Cristello, appears likely to be rehired after talks between the company and the labour ministry. The three-part serial, Svegliati amore mio (Wake Up My Love), directed by Simona Izzo and Ricky Tognazzi, was broadcast on the flagship Berlusconi channel Canale 5 from 24 March to 7 April. It is based on the true story of a mother who starts a campaign against a polluting steel plant after her daughter comes down with leukaemia. Pollution has long been a problem at the former ILVA works at Taranto, Europe's largest, and has been linked to higher than normal cancer rates in the Puglia city, especially among children. ArcelorMittal Italia on 3 April said that it recognizes and respects the artistic and social relevance of the film and television industry, as well as any other form of artistic and cultural expression. It said “With regard to the news circulated in the press and online in these hours, about the disciplinary action and precautionary suspension of two employees of the Taranto steel plant, it is specified that these measures have been adopted not for having written comments on the fiction movie Svegliati amore mio (Wake up my love), but for having denigrated the company itself and its management, also through statements of a harmful and threatening nature. The company deplores the distribution of false and unverified news which in turn can damage its image but above all cause alarm and confusion among workers and the population.
