Empey offers support to Reid Employees
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today outlined how his Department will help those affected by the Reid Transport closure.
Offering his sympathy to the employees he said: “The timing of this announcement could not be worse, coming so close to Christmas. Sadly, this has happened in the past with business closures at this time of the year. My sympathies go out to the individuals concerned and to their families. Reid Transport comes on top of other recent redundancy announcements, which it is particularly distressing.
“My Department, in partnership with the Social Security Agency and other organisations, will provide advice and support for all employees of Reid Transport who require it. Staff will provide advice on alternative job opportunities and access to training courses and will also ensure that those who have lost their jobs are able to access information on a range of other issues such as benefits and taxation. The local Jobs and Benefits Office is already dealing with individuals who have been affected by the announcement and officials from my Department will be meeting with the company on Monday next week to discuss redundancy payments.”
The Department for Employment and Learning has well-established procedures in place to deal with redundancies. Advice and support is available to all those who are made redundant on employment, training and education opportunities. In partnership with the Social Security Agency, Further Education Colleges and other agencies, a redundancy clinic is set up on-site with the agreement of employer and individual advice is provided. Immediate access is available to employment and training programmes for all those who are made redundant.
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