Natuzzi restructuring: an overall agreement is still a long way off
by R.I.T.
Natuzzi dispute: the company and the trade unions met in Bari to discuss issues relating to the redundancy scheme and measures to encourage employees to leave or to facilitate their re-employment in other companies within the supply chain.
The parties remain at odds over industrial matters because, at the regional Sepac meeting on employment crises, Natuzzi confirmed that 15% of the operations currently carried out in Puglia and Basilicata would be transferred to the group’s plants in Romania.
The parties will meet again to discuss the furlough scheme, ahead of the meeting already convened for 11 June by Minister Adolfo Urso at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy. Meanwhile, for the experimental early retirement scheme, Natuzzi has made €6 million available, earmarked for a maximum severance payment of €50,000 for employees who, on an entirely voluntary basis, choose to take part. Participation will be accompanied by an active labour market policy measure already published by the Puglia Region and aimed at interested workers, who will be able to access specific 400-hour training courses with an attendance allowance of €6 per hour. In addition, the possibility of absorbing Natuzzi workers into other companies in the upholstered furniture sector is being considered, and Arpal Puglia will launch a project dedicated to collecting voluntary applications from workers, whilst Sepac has already convened a further meeting for 16 June dedicated to the presentation of industrial and reindustrialisation projects.
“The Natuzzi dispute is a complex and sensitive matter, involving hundreds of workers and one of the historic brands of Apulian and Italian manufacturing,” said Eugenio Di Sciascio, the Apulia Regional Council’s Councillor for Economic Development. “Precisely for this reason, despite the current difficulties and the differences that still exist between the parties, we believe it is important to note some signs of openness that have emerged from the negotiations. The company’s willingness to convene the RSU and RSA before 11 June is a positive development, as it restores the centrality of dialogue and creates the conditions to try to build a shared solution regarding the management of the redundancy fund. There remain very sensitive issues, starting with concerns regarding the relocation of production activities abroad, on which the trade union has expressed clear and legitimate positions. Regione Puglia will continue to play its part to the full, keeping the dialogue open and working to protect jobs, safeguard the industrial base and secure the future of the upholstered furniture sector.
