Whirlpool said Tuesday that
production would stop at its Naples plant as of November 1 after
talks with the government on the future of the facility broke
down.
Whirlpool wants to sell the plant, which currently produces
washing machines, to a company called Passive Refrigeration
Solutions (PRS).
Unions say the move casts a shadow over the future of the
plant and the jobs of the 430 people who work there.
In a statement, Whirlpool said that it had "taken note with
great sorrow of the government's unwillingness to discuss the
reconversion of the site.
"(This plan) is the only solution capable of guaranteeing
jobs and the long-term sustainability of the plant will be
safeguarded".
Whirlpool said it was "forced to proceed with the termination
of production from November 1, 2019".
Workers from the plant went on a march that blocked traffic
on the Naples-Salerno motorway while Industry Minister Stefano
Patuanelli warned that if Whirpool continues to have "an
attitude of unilateral choices, the government will also take
unilateral choices".
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