The Minister of Economic Development Flavio Zanonato is reportedly working to ensure that "such an important company does not close even one of the production centers in our country". This was clarified by the minister himself, during a hearing in the Chamber on the Electrolux affair, following the new plan announced by the Swedish company.
It all started last week, when Electrolux convened an urgent meeting with the unions and the government to present a new industrial plan that did not include the closure of the Porcia plant. The company spoke of an investment plan for its factory in the province of Pordenone, also proposing an improvement for the Susegana plant in the Veneto region and undertaking to find solutions for all four sites in Italy.
The table will meet next Monday, February 17, an appointment to which Zanonato expects to "arrive with clearer ideas". The Government will bring three proposals, according to what the minister reported: reconverting the product to a higher range, drawing up a development plan on the markets identifying the spaces for penetration that are still practicable, or a restructuring process that does not start from cutting of workers' hourly wages.
Nobody talks about state aid. But the minister mentioned an investment plan in research and innovation - which would also involve regional contributions - in exchange for maintaining employment and wage levels.
