Renzi signs off on Whirlpool plan

(See related) (ANSA) - Rome, July 24 - 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.