The Mayor of Clare has described today's announcement of 370 job losses in the Shannon Free Zone as another devastating blow to the manufacturing sector in the Mid West Region.
Mayor Tony Mulcahy (available for interview on 086-2436345) said Element Six’s decision to close its manufacturing and distribution activities on its site in Shannon had heightened fears that other multinationals could follow suit by announcing job cuts or plans to relocate elsewhere.
The Mayor confirmed he has sought an emergency meeting with Enterprise Minister and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan T.D. to discuss what level of access the Shannon Free Zone will have to any emergency aid received as a result of the Government’s recent European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) application. The Shannon-based Councillor has also requested that a task force, similar to that developed in the wake of the Dell’s jobs blow, be established to specifically deal with the decline of the manufacturing sector in County Clare.
“As a result of companies relocating or downsizing, in excess of 3,000 jobs have been lost in the Shannon Free Zone in the last four years”, the Mayor said. He continued: “The precedent set by the significant job losses at Dell, combined with the ongoing economic downturn, is having a devastating impact on the Mid West region’s manufacturing sector. Business, community and political leaders across the Region fear that today’s announcement by Element Six will not be the last in this sector and that the haemorrhaging of jobs will continue unless immediate Government and EU intervention takes place.”
“I would like to know what the Government is going to do about protecting existing jobs and generating new employment in the local manufacturing sector. Minister Coughlan needs to take the necessary steps to ensure we do not lose any more jobs in this area. This includes making sure that Shannon and the wider region, and not just Dell in Limerick, benefits from any funds received under the Government’s EGF application”, he added.
Mayor Mulcahy said he knows many of the Element Six workers personally and that some of those who have lost their jobs will find it difficult to secure new employment. He explained: “Many of these workers, who have been employed in the manufacturing sector for many years, will find it difficult to upskill themselves. Therefore, it is going to be extremely difficult for them to secure new employment in present day high-tech knowledge-based companies. I call on Minister Coughlan to ensure that any funds received from the EGF are shared with workers in Shannon who have or will shortly be laid off.”
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aims to support workers, mainly in regions and sectors, which have been disadvantaged by exposure to the globalised economy. It has a maximum annual budget of 500 million euros to facilitate the reintegration into employment of 35000 to 50000 workers.
Mayor Tony Mulcahy (available for interview on 086-2436345) said Element Six’s decision to close its manufacturing and distribution activities on its site in Shannon had heightened fears that other multinationals could follow suit by announcing job cuts or plans to relocate elsewhere.
The Mayor confirmed he has sought an emergency meeting with Enterprise Minister and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan T.D. to discuss what level of access the Shannon Free Zone will have to any emergency aid received as a result of the Government’s recent European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) application. The Shannon-based Councillor has also requested that a task force, similar to that developed in the wake of the Dell’s jobs blow, be established to specifically deal with the decline of the manufacturing sector in County Clare.
“As a result of companies relocating or downsizing, in excess of 3,000 jobs have been lost in the Shannon Free Zone in the last four years”, the Mayor said. He continued: “The precedent set by the significant job losses at Dell, combined with the ongoing economic downturn, is having a devastating impact on the Mid West region’s manufacturing sector. Business, community and political leaders across the Region fear that today’s announcement by Element Six will not be the last in this sector and that the haemorrhaging of jobs will continue unless immediate Government and EU intervention takes place.”
“I would like to know what the Government is going to do about protecting existing jobs and generating new employment in the local manufacturing sector. Minister Coughlan needs to take the necessary steps to ensure we do not lose any more jobs in this area. This includes making sure that Shannon and the wider region, and not just Dell in Limerick, benefits from any funds received under the Government’s EGF application”, he added.
Mayor Mulcahy said he knows many of the Element Six workers personally and that some of those who have lost their jobs will find it difficult to secure new employment. He explained: “Many of these workers, who have been employed in the manufacturing sector for many years, will find it difficult to upskill themselves. Therefore, it is going to be extremely difficult for them to secure new employment in present day high-tech knowledge-based companies. I call on Minister Coughlan to ensure that any funds received from the EGF are shared with workers in Shannon who have or will shortly be laid off.”
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aims to support workers, mainly in regions and sectors, which have been disadvantaged by exposure to the globalised economy. It has a maximum annual budget of 500 million euros to facilitate the reintegration into employment of 35000 to 50000 workers.
