Mitsubishi to Re-Open Its Venezuelan Plant

Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi announced today that it plans to re-start the activity at its Venezuelan plant after it was closed at the end of August. The plant, belonging to its MMC Automotriz subsidiary, has interrupted activity due to worker discipline and a drop in productivity.

"On 21 September, workers and employees should start their productive activity, during their normal work hours," the company announced in a release, quoted by just-auto.com.

At that time, Mitsubishi stated that it is willing to resume the plant’s activity as long as the labor ministry will ensure the worker’s safety and a climate of peace and discipline.

The Japanese manufacturer also complained about the decline in productivity, as the plant was assembling an average of 33 cars a day with 1,412 workers compared with 59 units and 590 workers in 2004.

The Chavez government has tried for weeks to re-open the plant saying that MMC had no right to dice by itself the closing since the labour contract was still valid, but the company refused due to some concerns related to worker security.

However, after repeated negotiations between the MMC, the workers and the government, the three parties finally reached an agreement and scheduled a re-opening date, but made it clear that it would prohibit any pamphlets or brochures to be distributed or posted at the workplace that incite violence, hate or discrimination.