Work, Ricci (Cgil Campania): “From Conte and Pope Francis two different attentions towards Naples. From the Government we demand concrete facts and not promises”

Naples. "The week that is opening is crucial for the unitary union and the world of work in the South. Tomorrow the Regional Council of Campania will meet in a single-issue session to discuss the industrial crises that affect our region, starting with the complex one of the Whirlpool plant in Naples, where 430 workers - and over 800 from related industries - have been fighting for two weeks, together with the trade organizations of Cgil, Cisl and Uil, a battle to avoid the closure of one of the most important production sites in the South that, in 50 years of history, has offered employment, quality and professionalism in the household appliance sector. Also tomorrow, Prime Minister Conte will be in the city but, on his agenda, there will be no attention to labor issues". This is what the general secretary of Cgil Campania, Nicola Ricci, states in a note.

"We would have expected that, in such a delicate phase for our region in terms of employment, the Prime Minister would have found space in his agenda to go in front of the gates of the plant in via Argine to meet the workers of Whirlpool and listen to their stories, ensuring the commitment of his Government to keep the production site alive, enforcing agreements already made for investments and job increases. And instead, very probably, this attention will be reserved by Pope Francis, who will also be in the city on Friday, to bring a message of hope to our land, confirming his strong attention to the issues of work and social solidarity, as already witnessed during the private audience granted on Saturday morning to a delegation of the CGIL, led by the general secretary Maurizio Landini.

We hope - continues Ricci - that the new roundtable convened at the Ministry of Economic Development on the Whirlpool dispute on Friday 21 June, may represent not yet another interlocutory meeting between the Government, the company and the unions but a turning point towards the resolution of the dispute. We can no longer accept promises and threats from this Government.

We demand - concludes the general secretary of the Cgil Campania - concrete actions from those who preach every day in words a change that today represents only the umpteenth chimera for a territory that must no longer be considered a burden but a resource. The Cgil is in the field for this and will continue to support every action that can lead to the achievement of these objectives".