Tension rises in Naples afterwards Whirlpool's decision to close the Campania plant despite the offers from the government and the protests of the 400 workers who on Monday could find themselves without a job perspective in the midst of the pandemic.
“The Management of Whirlpool EMEA SpA communicates the cessation of all productive activities at the Naples plant, with effect from 00:01 on 1 November 2020". This is what the American multinational wrote in a letter confirming the closure of the East Naples site. “From that moment – writes the company – employees will be exempt from rendering their work at the site, without prejudice to maintaining the existing employment relationship". “With effect from 1 November – it is explained – the company will pay full remuneration to Employees until 31 December 2020 subject to further assessments after that date".
The Government's attempts to make Whirlpool take a step back were of no use: "Yesterday we gave the American board of Whirlpool maximum availability - said the premier during the meeting with the unions - we proposed incentives and a 30% contribution reduction, Sace guarantees. But Whirlpool fails to create any prospects for this establishment in the global competition. We have tried everything” said Premier Giuseppe Conte, underlining that “the Government cannot remain indifferent to this disengagement by the company. We will hold firm on this dispute. The government is willing to do anything, we are at your side, you cannot doubt this. Maximum guarantee that the government is by your side”, said the prime minister during the meeting with the company's workers at Palazzo Chigi. “We have made more available to Whirlpool than had been offered in the past, explaining that we can do things today that previously could not be done because currently the frameworks of the stringent European rules on state aid have been deactivated,” continued Conte.
By virtue of what happened, the workers of the Whirlpool of Naples decided to protest, first with a procession, then blocking the road in the area of the Gianturco district.
