Electrolux closes Rosario plant, signaling Argentine industrial crisis

Argentina is facing a significant industrial crisis characterized by multiple factory closures and mass layoffs across various sectors. A major development is the Electrolux Group's decision to permanently close its manufacturing plant in Rosario. This move ends decades of local production for brands like Electrolux and Gafa, as the company shifts to a global supply model based on imports to improve efficiency amid declining domestic consumption.

The closure affects approximately 180 to 200 workers in Rosario, following a period of voluntary retirements and rotating suspensions. This trend is mirrored by other companies, including Whirlpool and Mabe, which have reduced or ceased local manufacturing.

Other sectors are also struggling. In Tierra del Fuego, Hilandería Fueguina announced its closure, impacting 20 textile workers. In the automotive parts sector, companies like Kromberg & Schubert in Pilar and Irauto in Tigre are facing imminent shutdowns or uncertainty due to increased competition from imports. Additionally, Granja Tres Arroyos is experiencing a severe financial crisis, leading to mass layoffs and disputes over unpaid wages.