Electrolux layoffs dispute in Italy escalates with ministerial talks

Electrolux announced a reorganisation plan on 11 May that would cut about 1,700 jobs in Italy – more than 40 % of its Italian workforce – including 262 positions at the Porcia plant. The plan was denounced by Industry Minister Adolfo Urso, who convened a first round of talks at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy in Rome on 25 May, calling the proposal “unacceptable”. A follow‑up table was scheduled for 15 June to obtain a new, viable proposal.

Regional officials, such as Lombardy assessor Simona Tironi, noted that while the plan was not withdrawn, Electrolux has suspended all lay‑off procedures and agreed to negotiate alternatives, especially for the Solaro plant where over 200 jobs were at risk. The company also pledged to consider public investments to keep the site competitive.

On 18 June a protest march from Porcia to Pordenone was organized, joined by the Diocese of Concordia‑Pordenone and its Pastoral Social Commission, underscoring the civil dimension of the dispute. Minister Urso highlighted that the situation reflects a broader European appliance‑sector crisis, with twelve factories closed or slated for closure in the past two years.