Swansea AMs Mike Hedges and Julie James have today condemned the decision by the UK Coalition Government to close five Remploy factories in Wales, which will leave 189 disabled people unemployed.
Under the UK Government’s reorganisation plans, Remploy factories in Swansea, Aberdare, Abertillery, Merthyr Tydfil and Wrexham will close over the next few months. At the Swansea factory based in Fforestfach, around 52 people will be made jobless as a result. Two other Remploy factories in Bridgend and Croespenmaen, which were originally earmarked to close, will remain open until bids to take over the sites can be found.
The Welsh Government had previously asked the UK Government to devolve the Remploy budget and factories so that it could create a sustainable future for the organisation and its employees, however UK Government Ministers refused to consider this as an option.
In a joint statement, Mike Hedges AM & Julie James AM said:
“This news will come as a massive blow to Remploy workers in Swansea, who have been agonisingly waiting for news over the future of their jobs for months.
“For years, Remploy has provided disabled people with stable employment in an environment that takes account of their disabilities, but what we are seeing now is another senseless attack on some of the most vulnerable living in our communities. The UK Government should be protecting employment at a time where jobs are hard to come by, especially as we are in the middle of a recession.
“We urge the UK Government to immediately review this irresponsible decision with a view to accepting the Welsh Government’s offer of temporary control over the Welsh Remploy factories so that a secure and viable future can be found for all Remploy employees.
“We also intend to work closely with Remploy employees, the Welsh Government and with the trade unions over the next few months to provide whatever support possible to the affected staff during this difficult time.”
