Peter Fights for Remploy
Neath MP Peter Hain has pledged to fight hard to maintain the Remploy factory at Baglan after visiting the workforce and being briefed by management and trade union representatives.
Mr Hain explained that although – unlike Swansea Remploy – the factory will not shut soon, the Government may close it within a year unless it can become commercially viable without the public subsidy for its disabled workforce which has been provided by successive Governments since Remploy was established for injured veterans after the Second World War.
‘The Tory Liberal democratic Government’s decision to chop the subsidy for Remploy is callous and shameful. Neath Port Talbot may have had a temporary reprieve but it could still close unless a business plan can be put together which secures its future standing on its own like any other private company. I have pledged to support the workforce in putting together a plan which may stand a chance of getting the go-ahead from the Government.
This is an intolerable situation for many of our most vulnerable workers. But they have shown over the years at Remploy Neath Port Talbot that they can produce products competitively and to a very high quality.
‘The Labour Welsh Government has thrown out a bit of a lifeline which is very welcome and I hope that its support can help secure the future of the factory. But be in no doubt, it will be tough. To end the generations-long subsidy within the next year as the Government has insisted it will do, means the workforce must now come up with this new survival plan. I think it could be done, but only with goodwill and hard work on all sides. I will certainly do all I can to assist.’
Poems by D M Jackson.
When you hear the word Remploy
When you hear the word Remploy
What immediately comes to mind
People who are disabled working
They could be deaf, dumb or blind
They are just as capable
With the job they do
You may even be surprised
That they can do it better than you
So making people aware
Of exactly what Remploy do
Is putting ability first
And what they can do for you
DM Jackson 18th May 2010
Putting Ability Frist
The government select committee
Visited Remploy Baglan
Not only to see what we do
But also to show that we can
Now you have seen us building a product
And that we do it very well
And with the governments continued backing
It is a product that will continue to sell
Now you can understand
How much our job is worth
Please let us continue to do it
By putting ability first.