Whirlpool confirms that on 31 October the Naples plant will close the doors. “After 18 months the situation hasn't changed – explained the managing director of Whirlpool Italia, Louis La Morgia – On October 31, production on Naples will cease”. The manager's announcement arrived at the table between the company and the unions convened by the Minister of Economic Development, Stefano Patuanelli, who will bring the dispute on the table of the Council of Ministers.
"I was convinced that there were the conditions to continue, but after the confirmation of Whirlpool's decision I will inform the whole Government about the criticality of the Naples site - he said Patuanelli – Never before in this situation has the Government worked together with local institutions to find every tool to continue production in Naples and keep Whirlpool”.
According to the minister, Whirlpool's choice to close the Naples factory "was not made 18 months ago, but immediately after the signing of theagreement of October 2018. We are in suffering and difficulty towards the workers and the Naples plant. The factory is the garrison of legality”.
As for the unions, they intend to keep fighting. “We will respond with social confrontation”, threatens Barbara Tibaldi, national secretary of the Fiom-Cgil. “The company has created the conditions to close Naples within an overall vision of weakening the presence of Whirlpool in Italy which will be unloaded on all the group's plants. The hostility of the multinational towards workers and our country is evident. Today's company statement is a declaration of war, even more serious at a time when Italy is experiencing an unprecedented pandemic crisis. Workers and men are asking for concrete answers from the Government. We ask for an intervention by the Prime Minister Conte for the urgent convening of a meeting. The Whirlpool dispute is emblematic of the authority of our country. All the factories of the Whirlpool group are shut down today due to an 8-hour strike in conjunction with the table underway with the Mise and the company. The mobilization will continue as early as the next few hours".
On the same line Rocco Palombella, number one of the Uilm: “From tomorrow morning we have to stay with the workers: the plant must not be stopped. Patuanelli you have to take responsibility for him. Whirlpool can't leave, otherwise it becomes the Italian disgrace. Where are Invitalia's projects? I don't make fun of the workers. Once and for all, let's clarify what we want to do."
