The Mayor of Clare is concerned that the county is facing a “disproportionate blow” with the loss of major employers in the coming months.
Cathal Crowe’s comments come as councillors have unanimously pledged their support to helping the workers of Avara Pharma in Shannon receive a fair redundancy package.
In July, the future of workers at Avara Pharma in Shannon was thrown into jeopardy, when the High Court appointed liquidators to the firm.
Since then, efforts have been ongoing both in an attempt to save the 114 jobs there and, in the worst case scenario, secure a fair redundancy deal.
The staff has come up with a business plan which they say would keep the plant viable for at least six months and give them more time to iron things out.
Employee representative Jim Breslin says it’s vital now that they put the pressure on at the highest possible level.
Last evening saw dozens of staff members from Avara attend the meeting of Clare County Council and receive the unanimous backing of the elected representatives.
Mayor of Clare, Meelick Fianna Fáil Councillor Cathal Crowe is now calling on the government to step in.
He wants money to be drawn down from the EU’s Globalisation Adjustment Fund, which provides support to people losing their jobs because of major structural changes due to globalisation.
This has been invoked in other cases in the Midwest and Cllr Crowe says it could not only help Avara workers, but also those working in other major plants in the county whose jobs are on the line.
