Mestre - The Swedish Electrolux Group has presented a comprehensive restructuring plan in Mestre, which means massive cuts for the Italian sites. A total of 1,700 jobs are to be cut, affecting almost 40 percent of the approximately 4,500 employees in Italy. One of the most drastic measures is the closure of the plant in Cerreto d'Esi in the Marche region. Around 170 employees currently produce high-quality extractor hoods there. According to the trade unions, production is to be relocated to Poland in future.
Trade unions announce strike
The trade unions Fim, Fiom and Uilm reacted immediately and called a nationwide, eight-hour strike at all of the company's Italian sites. They described the plan as „unacceptable“ and demanded an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (Mimit). Barbara Tibaldi, responsible for the household appliances sector at the Fiom Cgil trade union, appealed to the government to intervene quickly to save this strategic industrial site. The industrial plan must be withdrawn.
Heavy blow for the region
The decision particularly affects the district of Fabriano in the province of Ancona, which has already suffered from industrial crises in recent years. Pierpaolo Pullini from the regional Fiom spoke of a tragedy for the affected workers, who have little prospect of finding new employment. During the talks, Electrolux also categorically ruled out a partnership with the Chinese industry giant Midea for Italy, according to trade union circles - in contrast to similar collaborations in the USA. Finally, Gianluca Ficco from Uilm warned that without systemic measures, the entire Italian household appliance sector could disappear in a few years.
