Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
The historical chocolate manufacturer Pernigotti, known particularly for the production of gianduja chocolate and "Gianduiotti" pralines, announced the closure of its production seat in Novi Ligure, Piedmont, and the dismissal of the 100 employees still working there.
Founded in 1868 by Stefano Pernigotti, the company was sold in 2013 to the Turkish business family Toksoz. Currently, the company employes 100 workers, 50 in production and 50 in administration and sales.
Workers and their trade unions announced they will start a protest campaign in order to save the jobs.
Update, 06/08/2019: An agreement for the re-industrialisation of the Pernigotti plant in Novi Ligure was reached enabling the suspension of the 100 dismissals. While the brand 'Pernigotti' will remain in the hands of the Turkish business family, the production plant of Novi Ligure will be acquired by a chocolate-making cooperative from Turin and by a businessman involved in artisanal ice cream production.
Eurofound (2018), Pernigotti, Closure in Italy, factsheet number 95752, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/95752.