Remploy jobs under threat
Around 140 Remploy workers could face redundancy in a fresh wave of planned factory closures. The UK Government says the budget for disabled employment services could be spent more effectively.
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Wrexham Remploy factory to close
Wrexham Remploy factory to close
A private bid to save the Wrexham factory has been rejected by Remploy bosses.
Read the full storyMerthyr Remploy workers strike for second day
Stephen Matthews, a worker at Remploy in Merthyr Tydfil joined his co-workers on the picket line as they protested against the factory's closure.
"This fight today is all about getting a fair package and a fair deal. Merthyr is one of the most deprived areas of the country so they all need a little bit of backup," Mr Matthews said.
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Welsh Remploy workers strike for second time
Workers at Remploy factories across Wales are today striking for the second time today in protest of plans to close factories.
They also took industrial action last Thursday in response to a decision taken by the Westminster Government to close or sell off 54 Remploy factories in the UK.
Factories at Aberdare, Abertillery, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea and Wrexham will close between August and mid-December with the loss of almost 200 jobs.
While the future of the factories in both Neath Port Talbot and Porth in the Rhondda is uncertain, the factories in Bridgend and Croespenmaen will remain open for the time being.
Previous strikes have also taken place as workers make their feelings known.
Following a review the UK Government decided to close many of the Remploy sites, claiming that they were not financially viable - but also insist that they are committed to supporting disabled workers.
The Welsh Government says it will pay firms taking on Remploy workers who lose their jobs when their factories shut. Education Minister Leighton Andrews said costs and wages would be covered for up to four years.
Remploy workers across Wales take strike action
Workers at Remploy factories in Wales have taken strike action in protest at UK Government plans to close factories and make hundreds of disabled workers redundant.
The plans would see five factories shut in Aberdare, Abertillery, Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil and Wrexham.
The sites in Neath and Porth will remain open.
But there's uncertainty over the Croespenmaen and Bridgend factories, where bids have been invited.
Esyllt Carr has been speaking to the workers still fighting for their jobs.
Remploy bidder asked to re-submit proposal
A company whose bid for Wrexham's Remploy factory was rejected has been invited to re-submit their proposals.
Disability Employment Limited had their first proposal turned down, but they have since been encouraged to try again after Wrexham MP, Ian Lucas, spoke to Remploy's Chief Executive.
– Ian Lucas, Wrexham MPAfter discussions with workers, Remploy and with Disability Employment Limited, and taking into account the announcement made this week by the Welsh Government, Remploy have suggested that Disability Employment Limited submit a revised proposal.
Remploy workers across the country are on strike today following a decision by the UK Government to close or sell-off the factories.
RNIB: 'Remploy closures are the wrong plan at the wrong time'
RNIB policy manager Andy Kaye is opposed to the Remploy closures.
"We contest this idea that people working in Remploy factories are somehow holding back other disabled people from getting a job" he says.
"The Government can prioritise Access to Work for those people closer to the labour market, but for those who want to see an option of being in supported employment, like Remploy, they should have that option."
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Disability Rights UK: 'Remploy closures mean more disabled people can be helped'
Neil Coyle, Policy Director of Disability Rights UK, supports the closure of Remploy factories, saying that while the Government should give "tailored support" to the affected workers, the funding will help more people.
"We can either make a choice to keep running unviable, segregated employment for disabled people in failing factories, or we use the same amount of money to support many thousands more disabled people into mainstream work," he says.
Pickets outside Bridgend Remploy factory
Remploy workers strike over factory closures
Disabled workers at Remploy sites in Wales take industrial action following a UK Government decision to close or sell-off factories.
Read the full storyUnite welcomes Welsh Government’s support for Remploy workers
– Andy Richards, Unite Wales SecretaryOnce again we see the Welsh Government coming out on the side of the Welsh workers who are being hit hardest by the callous coalition government in London. The Welsh Government commitment to helping Remploy workers and the package of support announced today by Leighton Andrews AM is to be welcomed. We will keep working with the Welsh Government and fighting for Remploy workers.