Remploy announced job cuts

A company that employs disabled people in Britain has announced that it is planning to close dozens of factories as part of cost-cutting plans.

Nearly half of the firm's 83 sites will be closed or merged under the proposals to shut loss-making sites and focus more on helping disabled workers to find employment in mainstream businesses.

Around 2,270 disabled workers and 280 non-disabled employees will be affected by the closure of 43 factories, 32 of which will be closed completely and 11 of which will be merged with other sites.

Disabled workers are now threatening strike action against Remploy and union leaders have hit out at the closures, which they claim are in areas of high unemployment.

Remploy has insisted that no disabled employer will face compulsory redundancy as a result of the closures and has stated that it has been working with charities to ensure that disabled workers find jobs with mainstream employers.

Anne McGuire, minister for disabled people, said: "I understand the concerns that Remploy's proposals will raise for some employees. However, I have already given an undertaking that there will be no compulsory redundancies for disabled employees."

Founded in 1945 to help disabled former servicemen find jobs, Remploy is also planning to make cuts in management and central operations.

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Date:23/05/2007 11:34:04