Speaking in the House of Commons today, Minister for Work and Pensions Peter Hain paid tribute to local campaigners including Nia Griffith and Joyce Watson as he announced that he had approved Remploy’s modernisation proposals – subject to a number of additional measures agreed between the company and Trade Unions.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon Peter Hain MP said:-
"I am grateful...for the work of Joyce Watson, the local Welsh Assembly Member. She came to see me last Friday to discuss a plan...to establish whether European convergence funding could be put to a different use, perhaps involving some sort of training facility on the Brynamman site. We are also looking at what can be done on the Ystradgynlais site...The matter needs more work as a result of the problems that have built up, but let us see what we can do in respect of those two sites outside the Remploy network."
Nia Griffith MP for Llanelli said: “I am concerned that if we are now looking at saving the jobs in the Brynaman and Ystradgynlais area by establishing a new organisation to take over from Remploy, then it is essential that we keep the production of the Vector furniture, otherwise there is no business to hand over. Reserving the work for Baglan does not help our Valleys community, and, in any case as Baglan is situated near other businesses, it is far better placed to act as a transitional training centre."
Since the original proposals Remploy has committed to focusing on high skill, high value products. Further measures have been agreed during discussions between the company and Trade Unions including:
- Top to bottom restructuring and re-skilling of Remploy to ensure it is able to win new business
- A proper public procurement strategy supported by the Government
- A travel to work package for workers in merged factories
Joyce Watson, Chair of the Remploy Action Group said: “This is extremely disappointing. Working as a locally representative committee we have put together an extremely strong case to maintain a site in Brynaman. We had full union backing and cross party support. The fight is not over and we will keep working together to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for Remploy workers. I am pleased that the Secretary of State has made good on his promise to me of a travel to work package for workers relocating to Baglan, but I hope we will not have to use it.”
Alun Davies said: “There are some very worthwhile recommendations in Peter Hain’s announcement today. I am pleased to hear that the management structures will be cut and there will be great emphasis on improving sales. My main priority is that we do everything possible to maintain a factory presence in the valley as it is totally unfair to expect workers to travel to a merged site in Baglan.”
Remploy have guaranteed no compulsory redundancies for disabled employees, the protection of their pay and pensions, and pledged to quadruple the number of people they support in mainstream jobs in the next five years.
