The local unit of Mexican group FEMSA, a Coca-Cola bottler, urged local authorities to take the appropriate actions to clear the facilities occupied by former employees who claim the payment of allowances.

The company said in a statement that the closure of the industrial plant by ex-workers is illegal, because the benefits that they are claiming are baseless.

The subsidiary of FEMSA added that the protests staged by 4,468 former dealers who have blocked the plants "are illegitimate and endanger the job security of 8,000 workers of the company," DPA reported.

The company said that according to Venezuela's Labor Law, all actions "related to the working relationship prescribe after the first year of the termination of services."