27 September 2001 Edition
Shinko disaster for Tallaght
Tallaght Sinn Féin Councillor Seán Crowe has called on the government, and Tánaiste Mary Harney in particular, to act swiftly following the announcement last week that 300 jobs are to go with the closure of the Shinko micro-electronics plant.
Councillor Crowe, who visited the factory, said workers were stunned and dismayed at the loss of their jobs. ``For people with mortgages and car loans and families to support, this sudden loss of their livelihood is a massive shock,'' he said ``This disaster for Tallaght may be overshadowed in the national media by the loss of some 1,700 jobs at Aer Lingus, but 300 jobs going here will have a devastating effect on the local economy.
He called on the government to demonstrate support for the workers by setting a plan in motion to find alternative employment, to upskill workers where necessary, to source similarly skilled work elsewhere and to identify a new industry for this site.
``The government needs to offer the people of Tallaght more than consoling words. What is required is sustainable employment,'' said Crowe.
Councillor Crowe, who visited the factory, said workers were stunned and dismayed at the loss of their jobs. ``For people with mortgages and car loans and families to support, this sudden loss of their livelihood is a massive shock,'' he said ``This disaster for Tallaght may be overshadowed in the national media by the loss of some 1,700 jobs at Aer Lingus, but 300 jobs going here will have a devastating effect on the local economy.
He called on the government to demonstrate support for the workers by setting a plan in motion to find alternative employment, to upskill workers where necessary, to source similarly skilled work elsewhere and to identify a new industry for this site.
``The government needs to offer the people of Tallaght more than consoling words. What is required is sustainable employment,'' said Crowe.