According to recent reports, a production halt has been scheduled for Sangemini Glassworks (formerly Avir Glassworks) in Central Italy, which employs approximately 90 people.
The plant’s management informed unions of its intention to shut down a furnace until June 2009.
The decision is said to be motivated by a sharp decline in demand for oil, wine and water bottles.
The halt in production has raised the need for social funding to subsidise workers and the company has reportedly applied for top-up payments for a period of 13 weeks.
Trade unions have expressed concerns about the intention to shut down the furnace, which may cause problems when production restarts.