Unilever jobs losses in Wales

Swansea will suffer a jobs blow when Unilever closes its personal care products site, with the loss of 225 jobs.

However, there is further bad news as the company will also be reducing its workforce by 25 at its distribution centre in Bridgend and closing its IT unit on Deeside.  Some jobs will also be created in Deeside, following changes in the company’s distribution routes.

A spokesperson for Unilever stated that the changes were necessary to sustain its long term success in the UK and announced a multi-million pound investment in a new site at Port Sunlight.

The company has informed the affected staff and is arranging consultation, promising that it will offer enhanced redundancy packages.  It is expected that the company’s IT centre in Ewloe will close at some point in 2014 and that 400 jobs will transfer to the new site at Port Sunlight.

Unite expressed its disappointment at the changes, although was not surprised, and stated that it was committed to obtaining the best deal for its members.  In addition, the Secretary of State for Wales said that the job losses would cause a lot of worry for families and their communities.  He stated that the Welsh Government would provide whatever support it could to people affected by the job losses.

Another spokesperson for the Welsh Government said that it had been negotiating with Unilever to find a solution that would avoid the job losses and was therefore disappointed that the company had chosen to proceed with its plans.