Vestas is in talks with employee representatives at its wind turbine blade plant in Daimiel, Spain, after labour unions claimed coronavirus precautions were insufficient and demanded a halt to production.
A coalition of unions this week issued a statement claiming that although there had been no confirmed infections, arrangements to protect around 1,300 workers at the factory were inadequate and urging a temporary shutdown to review the situation.
“The situation is not controlled and fear is being generated in the workforce,” said the statement.
Local reports suggested workers on one shift had refused to work normally at the plant south of Madrid in response to the alleged deficiencies in areas such as cleaning and disinfection.
Vestas head of communications Anders Riis told Recharge that the plant’s management is currently in discussions with employees representatives over the issue, and is listening to their concerns.
“Whether it is in Spain or anywhere else, we want to make sure our colleagues are safe,” said Riis, adding that the Danish wind giant is committed to following World Health Organization (WHO) and local Spanish guidelines and regulations.
Along with Italy and most recently France, Spain is one of a growing number of European nations to impose emergency controls on movement, assembly and working activities in the face of growing Covid-19 infection rates.
LM Wind Power and Siemens Gamesa have already closed plants in Spain, the latter following a positive case of coronavirus.
Industry body WindEurope warned this week that activity in the European sector is likely to be increasingly affected as the number of infections grows.
