Workers 'stunned' by closure plan

An electronics factory in East Kilbride is to close with the loss of 300 jobs, a union has told BBC Scotland.

JVC will shut in July and work will be moved to Poland, a Unite official said.

Jimmy Farrelly said employees at the College Milton plant, which makes television sets, had been "stunned" by the announcement.

The local MSP, Andy Kerr, plans to raise the closure with the government. No-one from JVC was available for comment.

Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme Mr Farrelly said workers were told production would be switched to Poland on the basis of cost and profitability.

He said: "They are absolutely stunned. We have a pretty devastated workforce this morning and the impact is going to be considerable on the East Kilbride area."

Mr Kerr said he had been trying to get in touch with the company to find out more details about the announcement.

'Well-respected workforce'

"This is extremely disappointing for the workforce and loyal team there," he went on.

"I'm very disappointed to hear that such a well-respected workforce is being treated in such a way."

He plans to contact the Finance Minister, John Swinney, to find out if any measures can be taken to influence JVC to reverse its decision.

JVC cut jobs at the factory last year and closed for a time to clear thousands of unsold television sets stored in a warehouse.

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