Protesters in Kemijärvi occupy pulp mill slated for closure

Trip to Brussels planned

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Protesters in the northern community of Kemijärvi opposed to plans by paper manufacturer Stora Enso to close down a local pulp mill occupied the facility on Thursday afternoon.
      About 300 people took part in the action, which proceeded peacefully.
      "I don't know if this will help, but something had to be done. If the plant goes, the whole village will be extinguished", says one of the participants, Pertti Kristo.
      Speaking to the crowd in the factory cafeteria, Kemijärvi city Council Chairman Heikki Nivala noted that the occupation had just one goal - to keep the pulp mill running.
     
"We cannot accept any illusory compensations, or any busy work on the factory grounds. It is useless to think that we can be silenced", Nivala thundered.
      Juha Pikkarainen, the spokesman for the plant's personnel, says that events such as the occupation of the mill are important, because they help maintain confidence in the future of the plant.
      "It has ben suggested from different quarters, that we cannot really influence matters in this way", Pikkarainen said.
      Stora Enso announced its decision to close down the Kemijärvi pulp mill in October. Since then, local residents have actively defended the plant, bringing new points of view into the debate. One suggestion has been the production of bio-fuel at the facility.
      The protests are set to continue, and local representatives hope to travel to Brussels to meet with Stora Enso customers.
     
Participants were informed of the planned protest by text message the previous evening. Secrecy was maintained to make sure that officials would not be tipped off.
      Police did not arrive at the scene until late in the day, and stayed to wait until the action was over.
     
"I understand the concern that the people of Kemijärvi, and of the east of Finnish Lapland over their jobs", said Minister of Defence Jyri Häkämies (Nat. Coalition Party) in Helsinki on Thursday evening.
      In spite of his sympathy, Häkämies did not promise concrete support for the people of Kemijärvi. The state does not plan to urge Stora Enso to cancel its decision to shut down the Kemijärvi plant, or to sell the factory to another owner, which might continue the manufacture of pulp.
      The state owns a total of 35 per cent of voting shares in Stora Enso, either directly, or through the Social Insurance Institution (KELA).
      Häkämies does insist, however, that Stora Enso take part in support activities for those whose jobs are lost. He said that the state will participate in the effort, once concrete plans emerge.
      He also understands the reasons given by the Stora Enso board for shutting down the plant - the securing of wood supplies, and maintaining jobs at the company's other plants.
      Häkämies noted that he is from the Kymenlaakso area of the southeast of Finland, which has also been severely affected by cutbacks in the forest industry.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Ruukki Group offers to buy Kemijärvi pulp mill (21.12.2007)
  Minister says government is not to intervene in Stora Enso closures (6.11.2007)
  Finnish government allocates funds to areas hit by Stora Enso closures (26.10.2007)
  Stora Enso to shut down two factories in Finland and one in Sweden - 1,400 jobs to go (25.10.2007)
  Wood shortage threatens pulp production in Kemijärvi (15.6.2007)

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