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As politicians lined up to praise a
new deal aimed at avoiding layoffs and raising investments by
appliance-maker Whirlpool, one union warned of other disputes
still outstanding.
"Today, we celebrate a deal that closed positively, but
there are still many open disputes," at such workplaces as
Termini Imerese, Ilva, Fincantieri and Alcoa, said Maurizio
Landini, secretary general of metalworkers union FIOM.
Premier Matteo Renzi on Friday signed off on an agreement
between appliance manufacturer Whirlpool, its unions, and the
government over the company's new business plan in Italy.
The deal averts more than 2,000 layoffs and includes
Whirlpool pledges of 533 million euros in investments.
Renzi suggested his controversial Jobs Act labour reform
contributed to the final deal, an idea Landini dismissed.
He said an industrial policy would be more useful.
Antonio Spera, head of the UGL metalworkers union, said his
members would be on guard to ensure the commitments made by
Whirlpool are honoured.
"We will maintain high attention to making sure that, both
at the national and territorial levels, agreements are
implemented so as to give a new boost to the sector".
The company said that it intended to maintain Italy as its
management base for all of Europe, Middle East and Africa
(EMEA).
"Thanks to this business plan, we will continue to manage
the entire EMEA region from Italy," said Esther Berrozpe,
president of Whirlpool for the region.
Industry Minister Federica Guidi called the agreement
"important" as it heads off job cuts by the US multinational.
Talks had been ongoing for months after Whirlpool announced
initial plans to lay off 2,060 workers at its Italy plants with
the Carinaro factory slated for closure.
The plan includes total investments of 533 million euros in
Italy, making it Whirlpool's European research hub with
investments of 90 million euros a year.
As well, the company said it will invest two million euros
in its plant in the Campania town of Teverola.
The government called for a new business plan in line with
agreements made last year when Whirlpool bought out Italian
manufacturer Indesit.
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