Orion job losses

News that the Orion Electrics plant in Margam is to cut its workforce by 50% has been greeted locally with great concern.

The company, which currently employs 180 people manufacturing DVD players and plasma televisions, will cut 98 jobs at the end of the year.

It is a cruel blow to those employees affected and their families. There is never a good time to lose your job but coming as it does in the run up to Christmas makes the news even worse.

In its heyday, the plant brought 550 jobs to the area so to see it being reduced even further is particularly saddening. The announcement will be devastating for a number of my constituents and I fully support the efforts of trade unions, workers and management to try and find a way to mitigate the proposed losses.

I am led to believe that sales forecasts for their products are poor at the moment and that is why they have taken this decision. However the company is optimistic that the situation will improve by the middle of next year. Hopefully they will then be able to increase the workforce again.