Fear of job losses at Cadbury allayed

FEARS of imminent job losses in the Irish manufacturing plants of Cadbury Schweppes, the confectionery and soft drinks giant, have been allayed.

The group, which currently employs 55,000 people and operates 133 factories worldwide, announced last month that would close 20% of its plants, with the loss of 5,500 jobs

It employs a total of almost 2,000 workers in four Irish plants located in Dublin and Rathmore, Co Kerry, where there is a workforce of 100.

Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh was asked in the Dáil by Fianna Fáil TD Sean Haughey if he would intervene with the company to ensure there were no job losses in the Irish factories.

Mr Walsh said from the information available to him through Enterprise Ireland, he was optimistic the global cost-cutting measures in the company would not impact significantly on the Irish workforce.

As a private concern, the group is responsible for deciding its own future.

Mr Walsh said the Irish company had been supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2002-2003 in an investment programme targeted at reducing its manufacturing cost base by 40% through increased automation and employee training.

“This will assist in securing the existing facility in Ireland and also position it to compete for further investment downstream.

“Enterprise Ireland has a pro-active business relationship with the Irish company and will continue to monitor the situation,” he said.

SIPTU, the trade union representing most of the workers, said it had assurances from management that there were no imminent plans for redundancies.