Clorox Says Seizure of Venezuela Plant Poses Risk to Workers, Residents

Clorox says Venezuela’s decision to seize the company’s shuttered facilities near Caracas may pose safety risks for workers and nearby residents.

The Oakland, California-based Clorox Co. closed its production facilities this week saying it had been operating at a loss due to government-imposed price freezes and the soaring costs of materials and operation.

Venezuelan authorities claim Clorox has illegally abandoned the country. It responded Friday night by seizing the Clorox factory in a move it said would save some 800 jobs.

Clorox, however, said in a statement dated Friday that the production of cleaning products such as bleach is a highly specialized process.

Although it said it removed all chlorine from the site and locked down equipment, “the Venezuelan government’s actions raise grave concerns, and Clorox and its affiliates cannot be responsible for the safety of workers and the surrounding communities.”