Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant'
16th August 2012, 14:10
Four Remploy factories in Wales are to close on Thursday.
Sites in Aberdare, Abertillery, Merthyr Tydfil and Wrexham will shut, to be followed at a later date by Swansea, with a total loss of 189 jobs.
The UK government has claimed the £320m budget for disabled employment services could be better spent.
The Welsh government has announced a £2.4m scheme for employers who give jobs to former Remploy workers for at least four years.
Last month, Remploy officials rejected a private bid to take over the Wrexham factory, safeguarding 40 jobs.
It was also confirmed in July that five Welsh Remploy plants will close in total. Two other sites which had been at risk, at Bridgend and Croespenmaen in Caerphilly county, will remain open.
Minister for Disabled People Maria Miller has told the House of Commons: "We are doing everything we can to ensure that Remploy workers will receive a comprehensive package of support and guidance to make the transition from government-funded sheltered employment to mainstream jobs."
Roy Whitney, lead representative for Unite in south Wales, told BBC Wales it was a "heartbreaking day".
"To be honest, the company has not prepared the disabled people at all, it's been like Welsh lambs to the slaughter house.
"They say there are plans in place with the Welsh assembly, they are helping us, they have set up a task force team, but as far as the UK government are concerned they destroyed a family that has been in existence for 60 years."
(more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19271882)
Sites in Aberdare, Abertillery, Merthyr Tydfil and Wrexham will shut, to be followed at a later date by Swansea, with a total loss of 189 jobs.
The UK government has claimed the £320m budget for disabled employment services could be better spent.
The Welsh government has announced a £2.4m scheme for employers who give jobs to former Remploy workers for at least four years.
Last month, Remploy officials rejected a private bid to take over the Wrexham factory, safeguarding 40 jobs.
It was also confirmed in July that five Welsh Remploy plants will close in total. Two other sites which had been at risk, at Bridgend and Croespenmaen in Caerphilly county, will remain open.
Minister for Disabled People Maria Miller has told the House of Commons: "We are doing everything we can to ensure that Remploy workers will receive a comprehensive package of support and guidance to make the transition from government-funded sheltered employment to mainstream jobs."
Roy Whitney, lead representative for Unite in south Wales, told BBC Wales it was a "heartbreaking day".
"To be honest, the company has not prepared the disabled people at all, it's been like Welsh lambs to the slaughter house.
"They say there are plans in place with the Welsh assembly, they are helping us, they have set up a task force team, but as far as the UK government are concerned they destroyed a family that has been in existence for 60 years."
(more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19271882)