Department will support Seagate workers - Empey

29 October 2007

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today expressed his disappointment at the news of significant redundancies announced by Seagate Technology.

The Minister said:  “I would like to assure the Seagate staff and their families affected by today’s announcement that my Department will be making every effort, along with the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, to help them on the road to gaining new employment.

“The Department will also work with the Department for Social Development through the Social Security Agency to engage with those being made redundant to provide advice on employment and training opportunities and also information on benefit entitlement.”

Sir Reg has made arrangements for his Department and DSD/SSA to provide assistance through theJobs and Benefits Office network and the locally based Employer Contact Team.

He said:  “The Department is ready to meet with senior personnel in Seagate to assess how best to assist the workers to re-engage with the labour market, having regard to their skills profile and geographical location.  We will provide services on site including group sessions for employees to make them aware of range of help available from the Department and provision from other organisations and Job Clinics through which employees can avail of one to one counselling and guidance.  Arrangements will be sufficiently flexible to embrace the various shift patterns and production schedules.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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