Shock at the loss of up to 400 jobs

1 Jul 2003

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) expressed grave concern over the newly announced job losses and calls on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to take immediate action to secure alternative employment opportunities for these redundant workers.

‘These factory closures are a huge blow to the workers especially those who have worked with the firms for many years but it also impacts greatly on the communities concerned,’ said June Tinsley, INOU Policy Officer. ‘In the current climate of worsening employment prospects, it is imperative that the Government makes every effort to provide alternative employment opportunities for these workers in those localities. In addition, extra resources and supports must be provided to them to ensure that they do not become long-term unemployed.’

‘In addition, the Government must ensure that there are no impediments to a company’s development, competitiveness and growth’, she added. ‘To this end, issues such as the cost of inflation and ever increasing insurance premiums must be addressed. Until these issues are tackled other firms are in danger of closure’.

Ms Tinsley said that any newly redundant person seeking advice on their statutory entitlements along with information on how to re-enter the labour market or how to access training and education should contact the INOU directly on 8560088 or their local resource centre for the unemployed for further details.