The union denounced that the company is taking advantage of the crisis to carry out a 'restructuring or downsizing' of its workforce. The union's concern extends to other companies in the region: Infante warned that Corven, another major metallurgical employer in Santa Fe, would also be preparing to lay off about 40 workers. The kitchenware factory, popularly known for its 'indestructible pots' and a symbol of the metallurgical industry, fired 30 employees from its plant in Santa Fe. According to Argentine News Agency, the company — Essen — began replacing part of its local production with finished imported products, which motivated the staff reduction. This decision, combined with the decline in domestic demand, paralyzed the production of several components. The head of the Metal Workers' Union (UOM) in Venado Tuerto, Oscar Infante, lamented the situation: 'Production has decreased, and workers see this day by day in their workplaces'. Buenos Aires, November 22 (NA) -- The economic crisis generated by the fall in consumption and the opening of imports has hit one of the most emblematic companies in the national industry. The 30 layoffs represent a 10% reduction in the workforce. State employees are asking for a 118% increase: a minimum salary of $2,027,283 million pesos and a monthly bonus of $250,000. Imports and Restructuring. The conflict at the aluminum cookware factory stems from the company's decision to replace nearly 45% of its local production with components imported directly from China.
