Following closures of two factories producing for the automobile industry comes news of a third putting 900 workers in ‘lay-off’, in Maia. SIC Notícias today suggests the ministry of the economy is refusing to discuss this worrying ‘trend’, that appears to be accelerating. This latest news concerns the Spanish-owned plant of Ficosa, which like the plants of Coindu in Arcos de Valdevez, and Cablerías in Valença produce components for the auto sector. The company has described “a complex situation” in which orders have been reducing – stressing that the closure is not yet permanent: it will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Update: Since this text went up online, the economy minister has said the government is “monitoring lay-offs with the utmost attention”, particularly in car component companies, but believes there is “no evidence” of a “wave of bankruptcies”.
