Fife politicians have demanded a meeting to discuss the future of Remploy’s Cowdenbeath and Leven factories.
MPs Thomas Docherty and Lindsay Roy have written to the UK minister for disabled people Esther McVey after the Fife workforce was left in the dark about its future just before Christmas.
”We need clarity from the UK Government as to what a viable business model would look like, what discussions have taken place with the Scottish Government regarding support for Remploy and the likelihood of any successful outcome being achieved,” said Mr Docherty.
”Lindsay and I are working together to achieve a viable outcome for the workforce in Fife.”
Disabled workers in Dundee have been left facing redundancy after they were told the Remploy textiles business in Tayside was not commercially viable.
Meanwhile, staff at Remploy Marine Products in Leven and the textiles factory in Cowdenbeath have been left in limbo, with 65 employees across the two sites potentially facing redundancy if no buyer is found for the businesses.
Mr Roy said: ”Given the full order book at Remploy Marine, and the outstanding commitment of a very loyal and dedicated workforce, I am confident that this business can be saved.
”The Government tells us again and again that there should be rewards for those in work and that they are trying to reduce the number of people relying on benefit. They need to live up to that promise by working closely with Thomas and myself to sustain Remploy jobs in Fife.”
In their letter to Ms McVey, the MPs said: ”We are seeking urgent clarification on a number of areas of your written ministerial statement, in particular regarding the nature of the assistance package.”