Celestica halves workforce of 500, citing global economic slump
Management at the plant blamed the losses on “sustained economic uncertainty and prolonged and difficult market conditions”.
A company spokesman said the company would hold talks with staff over the next 30 days. Initially, redundancies would be voluntary, but he stressed that if the required numbers were not found, job cuts would be compulsory.
Employees were being offered six weeks pay per year of service and four weeks pay in lieu of notice.
The Canadian company, which makes components for mobile phones and pagers, said it would remain in Ireland and planned no further redundancies.
Celestica has more than 40,000 employees in more than 40 locations in America, Europe and Asia.
“The decision to reduce our workforce in Ireland was a difficult one and the restructuring plan is being developed and implemented with the utmost sensitivity and respect for all employees,” a management spokesperson said.
“Celestica values its highly skilled workforce in Ireland. This decision was not taken lightly,” he said.
Labour Party deputy for Dublin North, Sean Ryan, called on the Government to act quickly on the unemployment situation in North Dublin and to find immediate replacement jobs for those laid off at the company.
Mr Ryan said it was a shocking announcement following on the lay-off of 450 workers at Celestica in November last, and lay-offs at Gateway and Motorola.
“The employment crisis in North Dublin has continued to escalate while the Government continues to sit back and ignore the problem,” he said.
“The Tanaiste Mary Harney has proved unwilling and unable to respond and continues to assert there is no employment crisis in the country.”
