Remploy - Under government threat
WORKERS, JULY 2007 ISSUE
Over 2500 disabled workers employed in the Remploy Factories are facing redundancy under a government-inspired scheme to eliminate this unique employment system. Forty-three factories are to be closed. Mergers, reductions and streamlining are proposed for 40 more.
The sheltered employment system was established to cater for severely disabled ex-servicemen and women from the Second World War. The inclusive and protective environment was meant to help these workers to live more productive lives.
Now, on thinly disguised financial grounds, the government and disability charities are seeking closure of this system, which has served these workers for over 60 years. The proposal to "mainstream" employment, the placing of disabled workers in other workplaces, is seen as mere cosmetics.
Remploy workers and their union, the GMB, are clear: this is a shift from meaningful productive manufacturing employment to casual employment on an agency's books. There are Remploy factories all over Britain, including in the most deprived employment areas, and the GMB is running an effective high-profile campaign resisting closure.
Government ministers have had to make a grovelling climb-down over the fact that notice of redundancy was issued by DVD and video! Gordon Brown has already announced a review once he takes office: he is making so many promises to the trade unions that the entire last 11 years are to be reviewed!
The GMB still hasn't had an answer to its question about why are there no cuts to Remploy factories in Cabinet ministers' constituencies (bar Patricia Hewitt). The TUC supported the GMB's campaign at its recent disabilities national conference.