Car giant Nissan sent shockwaves through British industry by axing 1,200 jobs at the country's biggest and most productive motor plant, worsening the economic gloom and heightening fears that the looming recession will cut deep into employment.
The jobs - almost one in four - will go at the firm's plant in Sunderland, which employs around 5,000 workers and is one of the most long-established and biggest employers in the North East.
The cuts, including 400 staff on temporary contracts, follow increasing pleas from the motor industry for Government action to boost the availability of credit for consumers as well as firms.
Union officials said the surprise announcement was "devastating" news for the workers and their families while business leaders described the cuts as the "harsh realities" of the global slowdown.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "I appreciate that this will be a tough time for workers." He pledged that the Government would work with the local regional development agency to help workers find new jobs as quickly as possible.
Nissan workers only returned to the production line on Monday after an extended Christmas shutdown in response to the slowdown in sales.
Nissan said the outlook for the car market this year remained "extremely challenging", adding that it was committed to taking the right action now to safeguard the plant's long-term sustainability.
The company announced that one shift will be cut from the plant's two production lines until March, with one being reinstated in April.
Trevor Mann, Nissan's senior vice president for manufacturing, Europe, said: "Like all manufacturers, Sunderland plant is currently operating in extraordinary circumstances not of our making. It is essential we take the right action now to ensure we are in a strong and viable position once business conditions return to normal.
"Unavoidably, this means we have had to make some very tough decisions in recent weeks. However by doing so, we are helping to safeguard our long term future which I believe is extremely positive."
Source : ananova
No comments:
Post a Comment