Natuzzi reorganisation, overall agreement still far off
by R.I.T.
Natuzzi dispute: company and trade unions met in Bari for a meeting on aspects concerning the redundancy fund and measures to incentivise the exit of employees or their re-absorption in other companies in the sector.
The parties remain distant on the industrial plan because, at the Sepac employment crisis table of the region, Natuzzi confirmed the transfer of 15% of the activities currently carried out between Apulia and Basilicata to the group's factories in Romania.
On the redundancy fund, the parties will meet again, before the table already convened on 11 June by Minister Adolfo Urso at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy. In the meantime, for the experimental redundancy plan, Natuzzi has made available EUR 6 million, earmarked for a maximum allowance of EUR 50,000 for employees who, on an exclusively voluntary basis, will choose to adhere. The adhesions will be accompanied by an active labour policy measure already published by the Apulia Region and intended for the workers concerned, who will be able to access specific 400-hour training courses with an attendance allowance of EUR 6 per hour. In addition, the possibility of absorbing the Natuzzi workers in other companies in the upholstered furniture sector is being assessed, and Arpal Puglia will activate a project dedicated to the collection of voluntary applications from workers, while Sepac has already convened a further meeting on 16 June for the presentation of industrial and reindustrialisation projects.
"The Natuzzi dispute is a complex and delicate one, involving hundreds of workers and one of the historical brands of Apulian and national manufacturing,'' said the councillor for economic development of the Apulia Region, Eugenio Di Sciascio. ''For this reason, despite the difficulties of the moment and the distances still present between the parties, we believe it is important to record some signs of openness that have emerged from the round table. The company's willingness to convene unions and unions before 11 June is a positive development, because it restores centrality to the discussion and creates the conditions to try to build a shared solution on the management of the redundancy fund. Very delicate issues remain, starting with the concerns related to the transfer of production activities abroad, with respect to which the union has expressed clear and legitimate positions. The Apulia Region will continue to play its part to the full, keeping the dialogue open and working to protect employment, safeguard the industrial presence and the future of the upholstered furniture sector'.
