(Finance) – After the hearing of Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantisat the Italian parliamentary commissions, i unions received no reassurances concrete regarding the future of Italian factories and the safeguarding of jobs. This is confirmed Rocco Palombella, General Secretary of Uilmwho declared: “We have not received any concrete reassurance on the future of Italian factories and on safeguarding employment, in particular for contracting and components workers who are suffering the worst effects of the crisis. We have only heard requests for incentives for purchase of electric cars and tax aid to reduce the cost of energy Tavares says he doesn’t want to leave Italy, but in the last three years we have lost over 12,000 jobs and there are no binding commitments on investments and new models, including non-electric ones, that can guarantee the future of the production sites.”
Palombella expressed strong concerns regarding the management of the transition towards electric, stating that, although it is a European-level decision, Stellantis must avoid risky strategies which could lead to an “employment and social disaster”. Furthermore, the Secretary highlighted the risk of paradoxical agreements with Chinese manufacturers, adding: “Tavares says that Chinese manufacturers have 30% lower costs, but then he makes agreements with them to sell their cars in Europe. : either we focus on the quality and professionalism of our workers or we risk the end of the car in Italy and Europe.”
In light of these issues, it was the general strike in the automotive sector scheduled for 18 October has been confirmedas a strong signal to both Stellantis and the Government. Palombella concluded: “We want a meeting at Palazzo Chigi with Meloni and Tavares. Without answers, we are ready for an all-out mobilization.”
For his part, Carlos Tavares tried to reassure, stating that Stellantis has no intention of abandoning Italy: “If we keep the factories in Italy it is because we want to maintain the supply and reach one million vehicles. We are ambitious and we share the ambition of the Government of Rome.”
However, he also made it clear that Stellantis must address global competitiveness: “Looking forward, will we produce all vehicles in Italy? No, we are a global company and we must consider competitiveness on a global level.”
The Tavares’ words did not satisfy the unions. Ferdinando Uliano, General Secretary of Fim Cislreiterated that the situation of the Italian factories is critical, with a production reduction of 31% and a heavy impact on employment. “The production situation of the Italian factories is reduced to a minimum and all the reasons that led Fim Cisl, Fiom and Uilm to jointly declare the 8-hour strike on 18 October remain”.
Samuele Lodi, National Secretary of Fiom-Cgiladded: “Nothing new has emerged that could relaunch production, research and development in Italy. The CEO attributed the crisis to the European legislative framework, asking for new incentives for electric cars. But incentives alone will not solve the sector’s crisis“.
The unions therefore ask for a urgent meeting with the government and Stellantis to discuss an industrial plan that can support the ecological and digital transition without further compromising the auto sector and its workers.