658 JOBS AXED; WORKERS OUT IN COLD AS FOUR FIRMS CLOSE.Byline: JENNY McQUAILE IT was a depressing day for workers yesterday as four firms announced a total of 658 job losses on both sides of the border. Technology company SerCom Solutions, based in Clondalkin, Dublin, said 220 of its staff are to get the axe when it closes on April 29. It is consolidating its operation at its Limerick plant, which employs 300 people at present, and it is hoped new jobs may eventually be created there. Just 32 posts will be retained in a smaller Dublin facility to provide support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services . In a statement, SerCom said it had been hit by the trend among firms using its services to relocate to Eastern Europe Eastern Europe The countries of eastern Europe, especially those that were allied with the USSR in the Warsaw Pact, which was established in 1955 and dissolved in 1991. and Asia. Another Dublin-based company, Jefferson Smurfit, is closing its paper mill in Clonskeagh with the loss of 58 full-time and 12 part-time positions. The plant, which has been in operation for 51 years, cited higher energy costs and environmental charges as among the reasons for the closure. The move is a significant blow for recycling in Ireland Rates of household recycling in Ireland have increased dramatically since the late 1990s, but are still lagging behind European averages. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the agency with overall responsibility for recycling, and acts as the watchdog for the waste , according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. packaging recycling scheme Repak. Andrew Hetherington of Repak said: "This announcement further increases our reliance on overseas markets, which diminishes our control and increases the difficulty and costs of recycling. "The closure of Irish Glass and Jefferson Smurfit's combined reduce our indigenous recycling capacity by approximately 90,000 tonnes per annum Per annum Yearly. ." Meanwhile, in the North more than 380 jobs are to go at a medical production firm and a cigarette factory. Teleflex Medical's factory in Lurgan, Co Armagh, is to close as part of a "global restructuring strategy" with the loss of up to 300 jobs. It is thought more than 20 outlets worldwide will be hit by the decision taken by bosses in the United States. The Gallagher tobacco group has also confirmed it is to cut 80 jobs at its plant in Lisnafillan outside Ballymena, Co Antrim. The cigarette manufacturer said the staff losses are part of a plan to cut 250 jobs at the firm across Europe. Trade unions condemned the job losses. CAPTION(S): PLANT: SerCom Solutions in Clondalkin, Dublin, is to shed 220 positions |
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