Menu
04/02/2010
Claw-Back Call As Hughes Shuts-Down
Millions of pounds in grants have been paid to an east Belfast factory which closed down last week.
Over 200 jobs are to be lost with the closure of the Hughes Christensen drill bit factory in Castlreagh.
That's despite Invest NI revealing that since 1995 the company received £5.4m in grants.
The news came as the Chairman of the Enterprise Committee at Stormont, Alban Maginniss, said attempts should be made to see if some of the money could be re-paid.
"In my view, there is a good case for recouping that money."
He was speaking as an angry representative for the trade union Unite accused the company of exporting jobs and technology paid for by the Northern Ireland taxpayer.
Meanwhile, the East Belfast DUP MLA Robin Newton has said the redundancies in the Hughes Christensen plant are a bitter pill for the company's loyal workforce to swallow.
"In the firm's previous round of redundancies I had contact with a number of the staff.
"I also met with DETI Minister Foster and senior staff from Invest Northern Ireland urging them to do all they could to support the company.
"I understand every effort was made to work with the firm's management to secure the future of the business in east Belfast," continued the Stormont Junior Minister.
He said that, for the 210 employees who will face losing their jobs the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) must now move staff onto the premises offering advice on job search, retraining opportunities or benefits entitlement.
"This type of support has been helpful in other similar large scale redundancy cases," he said, yesterday.
"There will be difficult days ahead for many of these reliable and dedicated staff, especially those in the more mature age bracket.
"Everything that can be done must be done to help the employees and their wives, partners and children," he said, insisting that one of the benefits of devolution is the ability to react quickly in this type of difficult situation.
"The Hughes Christensen employees need that 'fast response' from DEL in their current plight," he concluded.
See: NI Engineering Jobs Lost
Over 200 jobs are to be lost with the closure of the Hughes Christensen drill bit factory in Castlreagh.
That's despite Invest NI revealing that since 1995 the company received £5.4m in grants.
The news came as the Chairman of the Enterprise Committee at Stormont, Alban Maginniss, said attempts should be made to see if some of the money could be re-paid.
"In my view, there is a good case for recouping that money."
He was speaking as an angry representative for the trade union Unite accused the company of exporting jobs and technology paid for by the Northern Ireland taxpayer.
Meanwhile, the East Belfast DUP MLA Robin Newton has said the redundancies in the Hughes Christensen plant are a bitter pill for the company's loyal workforce to swallow.
"In the firm's previous round of redundancies I had contact with a number of the staff.
"I also met with DETI Minister Foster and senior staff from Invest Northern Ireland urging them to do all they could to support the company.
"I understand every effort was made to work with the firm's management to secure the future of the business in east Belfast," continued the Stormont Junior Minister.
He said that, for the 210 employees who will face losing their jobs the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) must now move staff onto the premises offering advice on job search, retraining opportunities or benefits entitlement.
"This type of support has been helpful in other similar large scale redundancy cases," he said, yesterday.
"There will be difficult days ahead for many of these reliable and dedicated staff, especially those in the more mature age bracket.
"Everything that can be done must be done to help the employees and their wives, partners and children," he said, insisting that one of the benefits of devolution is the ability to react quickly in this type of difficult situation.
"The Hughes Christensen employees need that 'fast response' from DEL in their current plight," he concluded.
See: NI Engineering Jobs Lost
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 March 2011
Pfizer Staff 'Saved' In Buy-out Deal
Jobs are to be secured at a pharmaceutical plant near Dublin. An agreement that will result in Amgen purchasing Pfizer's manufacturing facility in Dun Laoghaire - south of the capital - has been signed.
Pfizer Staff 'Saved' In Buy-out Deal
Jobs are to be secured at a pharmaceutical plant near Dublin. An agreement that will result in Amgen purchasing Pfizer's manufacturing facility in Dun Laoghaire - south of the capital - has been signed.
14 January 2015
Randox To Create 540 New Jobs
First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have announced global diagnostics firm, Randox, is to create 540 quality jobs over four years resulting from a £29m capital investment. Randox, headquartered in Crumlin, Co.
Randox To Create 540 New Jobs
First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have announced global diagnostics firm, Randox, is to create 540 quality jobs over four years resulting from a £29m capital investment. Randox, headquartered in Crumlin, Co.
07 January 2011
Britvic Puts Further Squeeze On Staffing
Two Belfast politicians have separately expressed their regret over fresh jobs losses in a local soft drinks company. The Alliance party said the further three job losses at the Britvic company on the Castlereagh Road - following dozens at the plant last year - was bad news.
Britvic Puts Further Squeeze On Staffing
Two Belfast politicians have separately expressed their regret over fresh jobs losses in a local soft drinks company. The Alliance party said the further three job losses at the Britvic company on the Castlereagh Road - following dozens at the plant last year - was bad news.
15 April 2011
Low Cost Competition Closes Glass Firm
Cut-price competition from manufacturers in China and Turkey is being blamed as nearly 50 jobs go 'out the window' at a Kilkeel company, Toughglass. Remaining employees were this week told by management that the business will close after a 30-day consultation process.
Low Cost Competition Closes Glass Firm
Cut-price competition from manufacturers in China and Turkey is being blamed as nearly 50 jobs go 'out the window' at a Kilkeel company, Toughglass. Remaining employees were this week told by management that the business will close after a 30-day consultation process.
21 January 2003
Logica announce over 300 jobs losses
Troubled telecommunications firm Logica, which recently merged with CMG, has announced that around 315 workers are to be made redundant in the next few weeks. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that talks were underway on the redundancy packages for the employees affected by the cuts at the firms bases in Cork and Dublin.
Logica announce over 300 jobs losses
Troubled telecommunications firm Logica, which recently merged with CMG, has announced that around 315 workers are to be made redundant in the next few weeks. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that talks were underway on the redundancy packages for the employees affected by the cuts at the firms bases in Cork and Dublin.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
