Fear over future of Remploy factory

A UNION is predicting that an Oldham factory that employs disabled people could close.

The GMB has warned that if the Government accepts the findings of an independent report into the future of Remploy, which provides jobs for people with disabilities, it will sound the death knell for the Bardsley base — which employs around 100 people.

The Sayce report — compiled by Liz Sayce, chief executive of disability group RADAR — makes a number of recommendations to help find jobs for disabled people.

Mrs Sayce said: “I am recommending empowering disabled people and employers by opening up Access to Work initiatives, widening access to information and ensuring support can go with the individual, from job to job, equipping disabled people for the economy of today and tomorrow.”

The Minister for Disabilities Maria Miller said that she was attracted to the report’s recommendations.

However, Phil Davies, GMB national secretary for Remploy, said: “If the minister goes ahead on the basis of the report, 54 factories will close and 2,500 disabled workers will lose their jobs.

“The report is full of aspirations but little substance. Most of the report refers to moving resources away from disabled workers in manufacturing to find work for disabled people.”