Italy govt asks Natuzzi to suspend plans to lay off staff-source

Natuzzi SpA

05/07/2013 13:07

ROME, July 5 (Reuters) - The Italian government has asked furniture group Natuzzi  NTZ.N  to suspend plans to lay off 1,700 workers as part of a restructuring programme, and the company is considering its request, a government source told Reuters on Friday. Natuzzi announced the plans to shed staff from plants in the southern regions of Puglia and Basilicata earlier this week, dealing a further blow to areas where jobless rates have soared during the longest recession in Italy's post-war history. Company officials are meeting with Industry Ministry undersecretary Claudio De Vincenti on Friday. (Reporting By Francesca Piscioneri, writing by Catherine Hornby) ((catherine.hornby@thomsonreuters.com)(+ 39 0685 224 394)(Reuters Messaging: catherine.hornby.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: ITALY NATUZZI/