Read the initial assessment issued by the Italian NCP – 21 February 2019

On 27 November 2018, the national trade union FIOM-CGIL submitted a specific instance concerning Ball Beverage Packaging Italia S.r.l, alleging that on 11 October 2018, the company did not observe the Guidelines when it announced the closure of its plant in San Martino sulla Marruccina (Chieti, Abruzzo Region). Specifically, the trade union claims that company refused to conduct any negotiation related to the possible re-industrialisation of the site, or the provision of alternative employment for the workers, and that the company refused to request funding for its terminated workers.

On 21 December 2018, the Italian NCP informed the U.S. NCP of the specific instance, as N.V. BEKAERT S.A. was part of a U.S. multinational. Ball Beverage Packaging Italia S.r.l responded to the specific instance stating that issue should be considered as resolved, as a parallel procedure resulted in a collective agreement between the local workers’ organisations, including FIOM-CGIL, and the company on 21 December 2018 in the Abruzzo region.

Considering that the parties reached a collective agreement, the NCP decided that a further examination of the issue would not contribute to the purpose and effectiveness of the Guidelines, and the NCP chose to close the case.

On 21 February 2019, the NCP issued an initial assessment that closed the case and recommended to Bell Beverage Packaging Italia S.rl. to involve all concerned stakeholders and carry out necessary due diligence during future closures or restructurings of facilities.