Treatment of closure factory workers 'callous'
A SWANSEA MP has branded the treatment of Alberto Culver factory workers as "callous" after it was revealed work from the site will be transferred to Poland.
Earlier this month consumer giant Unilever announced the factory on Swansea Enterprise Park would be closed with the loss of 225 jobs.
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But it has now been revealed the production of low-volume items, work which accounted for around 25 per cent of the factory's output, will be moved to one of its Polish sites.
Swansea East MP Sian James said: "This news of relocation to Poland confirms my earlier view that the move has nothing to do with the global economic recession.
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"It is entirely about a £19.6 billion turnover company opting to increase profits at the expense of its Swansea employees.
"This revelation has only increased my anger and disappointment at such callous treatment of a loyal workforce."
The news has also been met with dismay by those working at the factory.
One worker, who didn't wish to be named, said: "We are all upset about it. We are all aware of the work going to Poland, we have even been told the first machinery from here will be going to a factory in November. We are all losing our jobs to another country."
As well as the Swansea factory, a further 25 jobs will be lost at a distribution centre in Bridgend which serves the Swansea site.
A factory in Ewloe in Flintshire will also be closed, along with another in Slough.
But around 200 jobs will be created at the company's Port Sunlight site in the Wirral.
A spokesman for the company said: "As you know, our Swansea site will close at the end of 2013 with the manufacture of high-volume products like shampoo, which account for something like 75 per cent of production in Swansea, transferring to Port Sunlight.
"The remaining portfolio of smaller, low- volume items like hair-styling products will be absorbed by our specialist facility in Poland."
Alberto Culver was purchased by Unilever, responsible for brands such as Domestos, Lynx, Marmite, Persil and Pot Noodle, in May 2011. It was announced in June that the company was looking to restructure its UK business.
robert.goodman@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514 665
Comments
by Neathboy234
Saturday, September 29 2012, 1:04PM
“sochat just think how Switzerland manage with their six(6) official languages.”
by sochat
Saturday, September 29 2012, 12:54PM
“Unilever will not have the added expense of bilingual signs and paperwork in Poland or England.Thank you Welsh nationalists.”
by Neathboy234
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:32AM
“We are of course called Great Britain as not to confuse us with Brittany in France, sadly some think we are so called because we are such a fantastic country. Imagine if outer countries did the same Brilliant Brazil, Amazing Australia or perhaps Incredible Italy”
by brochadav
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:06AM
“We could put the great back into Britain without behaving like a bunch of BNP supporters though?
You don't have to be right wing to want the country to improve.”
by Neathboy234
Saturday, September 29 2012, 10:46AM
“I think immigrant1 is so called because he feels like an immigrant in his own country. The deluded right often think like this, along with using the sayings "I want my country Back" and "lets put the great back into great Britain". If i had my way i'd make it a criminal offence to use either of these sayings, but that's just me lol”
by brochadav
Saturday, September 29 2012, 10:35AM
“Immigrant, Welsh workers cannot compete at the low wages end of the scale, most importantly if they did accept such poor T&C's they couldn't afford to live here. And secondly, the minimum wage is set in law.
Had you forgotten or ignored that the cost of Living in Poland is so much cheaper then the UK. It's not about getting something for nothing, it's about a living wage.
Why do you think so many Polish workers have come here, so they can send home money far in excess of what they'll earn at home, as well as claim child benefit to send home. Looking at your user name, are you an immigrant? Did you come here because of better pay and conditions? If you did it's very hypocritical to slate British workers who are just standing up for their rights.
FAO Roadmonkey, I'm far too honest to aspire to public office, I would never get anywhere. There's a saying "Anyone who wants to be a politician probably shouldn't be allowed to" And looking at most of them it's very true.”
by roadmonkey
Saturday, September 29 2012, 9:20AM
“What I find personally reassuring is that none of the under-achieving individuals on commenting on this story could ever aspire to becoming elected representatives themselves.”
by hacker_jack
Friday, September 28 2012, 3:03PM
“Swansea East MP Sian James said: "This news of relocation to Poland confirms my earlier view that the move has nothing to do with the global economic recession.
"It is entirely about a £19.6 billion turnover company opting to increase profits at the expense of its Swansea employees.
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What a ridiculous woman.
Companies will always look for how to maximise profits, that's why they are in business. A company that does not do this never gets past being the size of a corner shop.
We always knew production was being transferred elsewhere. I'm sad it has had to leave but by behaving like a bitter child all she is doing is putting other companies off investing in the area.
The time for her to step in and do something constructive was months and months ago.”
by immigrant1
Friday, September 28 2012, 12:02PM
“It is up to Unilever where to base their factory. If they want it to be in Poland, then that is their choice. Polish people are hard workers and are willing to work for less. So why shouldn't the factory be based there? If the people of Swansea want jobs like this then they need to compete with countries like Poland on wages and work ethic. The days of everything for free and over. Get used to it.”
by brochadav
Friday, September 28 2012, 11:48AM
“The EU is a fine idea in principle, but so is communism and that never worked either.
The EU is causing mass migration on a scale not seen for centuries. Historically, mass migration has led to problems. No wonder racism and nationalism are on the rise again across Europe.
Is anyone really surprised Unilever did this just to increase profits? They have to keep the shareholders happy see. As the poor get poorer and the rich get richer and with racism and nationalism rising we have seen social unrest, riots in Greece, here in London and things will get worse before they get better.
They need to make laws preventing this kind of profiteering but I'm not sure if that's possible really. So the merry go round continues and our kids suffer. Eastern Europe continues to pay rock bottom wages and migration will grow. There will be trouble one day, of the kind the EU said it was set up to prevent.
maybe mankind is not yet mature enough for such a grand scheme, or maybe it is just being run by buffoons!! As always it is the ordinary working people who suffer.”