Abysmal redudancy package for Hawkesbay workers
Workers in the Hawkesbay factory in Ardee, County Louth, who are to be put out of their jobs at the end of this month, are balloting today (Wednesday, 19 January) on the less than meagre redundancy package which plant owner Hakim Valliani offered the 300 people he employs there. He offered just one half week above the statutory redundancy.
Meanwhile, it was reliably reported that nine days after he announced to his workers that they would have no jobs, Valliani had sold the factory. According to SIPTU official Jane Boushell, Valliami has denied completion of sale, although he admits there are three buyers who are interested. No one knows if it is the machinery they want or the large and well accommodated factory building. Nor is it known if the buyer is based in Ireland.
But on Monday a bombshell hit with news that Valliani had bought the Fruit of the Loom plant in Moville, Donegal, directly owned by Fruit of the Loom.
According to Jane Boushell, Valliani says he is planning to bring work back from Hong Kong to this factory, work which is not jeans manufacturing.
Workers at the factory want to know just what is going on.
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