Almost one third of the Nexans Ireland employees who are working their last shift at the plant today (Friday ) have already secured future employment, according to figures obtained from FAS.
Of the total 96 staff who are to be laid off later today when Nexans closes its doors for good, 29 per cent have already decided on their next career move, a figure which includes 10 people who are to start their own businesses. A total of 95 per cent of all workers have received training and support from FAS.
According to FAS director of the Midlands region, Roisin Doherty, the Nexans staff are one of the most motivated groups of employees she has come across in her work.
“The staff are very positive and are treating this time as a new beginning. They are willing to take the opportunities to contribute to other businesses,” Ms Doherty told the Advertiser. “Over the next two weeks, a further 16 employees have interviews, some of them second interviews. We are continuing to offer them individual guidance with an employment services officer.”
Nexans staff are to receive FAS training in the coming weeks in areas as diverse as Safe Pass, computers, construction skills, welding, health care, and forklift operation.
However, in spite of the positive attitude of workers, there has been much regret at the loss of almost 100 jobs as Nexans closes its doors today. The closure was announced in March and was blamed on tighter price margins and severe competition.
Branch organiser of Athlone’s SIPTU John Kane spoke yesterday of the sense of sadness among the staff. “I was just speaking to the workers, and there is a great deal of sadness. The company has been here since 1972 and has been a good employer, with a number of families who have several members working there,” he said.
According to Fine Gael’s Deputy James Bannon, these most recent losses bring to 500 the number of jobs lost in the Longford/ Westmeath constituency since Christmas, and he is calling for a taskforce to be established to investigate the spate of losses across the Midlands.
“I feel there is a great need to try and reform industry in light of what is happening. The IDA and Enterprise Ireland need to put their heads together to come up with a solution,” Deputy Bannon told the Advertiser.
The TD believes the continued job losses are a result of serious Government mismanagement. “This downturn in the economy has been brought about by the taxes and levies introduced by the Government, which make it more attractive for companies to move elsewhere. The Government is not making sufficient effort to keep jobs...I am extremely angry to see that once again the hard-working taxpayers of the Midlands, who helped to build up a strong local and national economy, are bearing the brunt of Government mismanagement,” added Deputy Bannon.
“This loss represents an increase of almost 100 on the live register, on top of the other companies in Westmeath that have closed recently. The losses are impacting greatly on communities. It is devastating for the staff and their families, and my sympathy goes out to them.”
The Nexans closure comes just days after the announcement that up to 100 more jobs are feared lost in Westmeath. Fifty jobs are to go at the Wright Windows System factory in Milltownpass in the coming weeks, while the GMAC mortgage call centre in Mullingar is seeking a number of voluntary redundancies.
Meanwhile Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, said yesterday that the IDA is working closely with Nexans during this transition period. “IDA continues to promote Athlone and the broader Midlands region as an investment location. There is a good pipeline of projects for the Midlands region and IDA is expecting to be in a position to announce investments in the second half of 2008,” read a statement from the Department.
