The UK’S Minister for Disabled People says there have been expressions of interest in Remploy factories in Dundee and Fife.
Esther McVey will visit the city facility and said she is confident the right decision is being made by Westminster to earmark the three textiles businesses for closure.
They provide supported employment to dozens of disabled people.
She said: “I’m going to Dundee because I want to safeguard as many jobs at those factories as I can and I’m also looking for expressions of interest for those factories.
“I’ve been working very closely with all of the factories across the country. We’re looking at the staff, we’re looking at the factories and we’re looking at expressions of interest.”
She added: “I believe these factories can work. We can do something. Everybody wants to make it work. You can do more through working together and as a team and through cooperation (rather) than in isolation.”
Ms McVey said 2,500 Scots with “similar disabilities” to those working in the Dundee, Cowdenbeath and Leven sites have found work over the last two years through Remploy Employment Services.
She also claimed the Government has spoken to various disability experts and disability organisations, who have advised now is the time to integrate more disabled people into mainstream employment.
The UK Government will assign personal caseworkers, she claimed, who will set up tailored plans for workers.
In an interview that emerged, Ms McVey said she was “hopeful” the local factories could be transformed into commercial businesses.
“I believe already there are expressions of interest on the table but what we’re looking for is as many as possible to get the best outcome possible for the staff and factory,” she said.
“Those factories have had an uncertain future for a long, long time and I am working both sides to see what support I can put in place.”