SDLP call for economic reassurance from Empey

SDLP member Annie Courtney has spoken out about her concerns over the possible ‘aftershock’ effect of the Shorts job losses on the economic community in the northwest region.

Shorts parent company, Bombardier Aerospace, recently announced a cut of 6,500 jobs worldwide immediately. For Shorts in Belfast the news signalled the loss of 900 jobs with another 1,100 jobs to go early next year unless the economy shows a marked upturn.

Citing Maydown Precision Engineering as just one of companies whose future may now lie in the balance, the Minister called on Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey to issue an assurance of the existence of a practical strategy to combat such adverse developments should they should arise.

Mrs Courtney said: “Maydown Precision Engineering is one of the key component suppliers for Bombardier Shorts in Belfast. There is a concern that the downturn in business for Bombardier Shorts will have a knock-on effect on that company.”

Speaking on Monday October 1, Sir Reg Empey had already described how the current economic momentum could see hundreds more who work in ‘downstream’ businesses waiting to see how they will be affected by such major job losses.

However, responding to Mrs Courtney’s specific statements, he said: “We must look at each case on its own merits in order to see what steps should be taken. It is too early to tell what the downstream effects will be because we do not know how long the deferments and deliveries will take.”

It has been calculated that, on a proportional level, the loss of around 2,000 jobs to the Northern Ireland economy is the equivalent of up to 70,000 jobs in the UK. (CL)