(Reuters) -Carmaker Stellantis will cut up to 500 jobs through voluntary exits at its Melfi assembly plant in southern Italy, which employs around 5,000 people, the Fiom-Cgil union said on Wednesday in a statement.

This follows a recent announcement for a similar voluntary redundancy plan for a total of 350 jobs at two other facilities in Italy, in Pomigliano and Pratola Serra.

"It seems that a real plan to divest from Italy is taking shape. For these reasons, Fiom-Cgil has not signed the layoffs," said Samuele Lodi of Fiom-Cgil.

Stellantis ( STLA ), which owns Italian brands Fiat and Alfa Romeo, was not immediately available for comment.

The group in December presented a plan to the Italian government to revitalise its output in the country, after years of falling production.

As part of the plan, new models have been assigned for production to Stellantis Italian plants in 2025 and in coming years, but their expected positive impact on output and jobs will not materialise before the end of this year.

In Melfi, Stellantis ( STLA ) is ramping up production of Jeep and DS models this year, while further models, including under the Lancia brand, are expected in coming years.