EUROPE COULD HELP JOHNNIE WALKER WORKERS

John Martin Fulton • Published 22 Sep 2009 15:49

WORKERS at the doomed Johnnie Walker plant could get help from Europe according to local MSP Irene Oldfather.

The Labour MSP, who worked closely with European Parliament for many years - as a journalist and researcher for an MEP - says that changes to the law mean that funding could be available to help reduce the impact of the 900 losses in Kilmarnock.

Mrs Oldfather highlighted the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund as a potential buffer for the staff who lose jobs, set up as it was to provide money for new jobs, training and income supplements.

She told the Scottish Parliament: "I wish to raise with the Minister the issue of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, whereby €500 million is set aside each year to assist workers in Europe where a clear link can be made between job losses and the effects of globalisation.

"Workers across Europe can benefit, and have benefited, from the fund.

"Thanks to robust lobbying by the European Socialist Group, including myself, the qualifying threshold was recently reduces by the European Commission from 1,000 job losses to 500.

"I am certain that we have sufficient creative civil servants and politicians who examine the criteria, and assist in preparing a case.

"I urge the minister to explore whether, and how, Diageo workers might benefit from the fund."

Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather, replied: "I welcome what Irene Oldfather said about the new qualifying threshold for the fund. We will certainly look into that."

Mrs Oldfather added: "I am encouraged that the Scottish Government is taking on board what I said in the debate and I hope that they make a concerted effort to secure this funding."

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