In a blow to the local economy, Benetton has confirmed the closure of its only Serbian factory in Niš, leaving over 900 workers facing redundancy.
The decision, prompted by a global crisis within the Benetton group, follows a significant decline in orders, reducing production to nearly zero in recent months.
The closure will take place within the next two months, with workers set to be officially declared redundant.
Niš’s mayor, Dragoslav Pavlović, assured the community that the city would collaborate with national agencies to offer support, including reemployment opportunities at other companies, as demand for labor in Niš remains high.
The mayor also revealed plans for a new job training program and self-employment initiatives for those seeking alternative career paths.
However, local politicians are calling for urgent intervention, suggesting that the Niš plant could be bought and maintained by the state to safeguard jobs.
The closure of Benetton’s Niš factory adds to mounting concerns over job losses in the region, particularly in other major companies like Jura and Niš Express.
