The crisis in the region's manufacturing industry has worsened with confirmation that 47 staff will be laid off at the iconic Poppets Schoolwear factory at Fairy Meadow.Staff were told on Tuesday the Montague St operation would be downsized, with just 29 of 76 employees being retained.The announcement came on the same day that the KingGee clothing factory at Bellambi closed, with the 68 employees given a 72-hour early mark by owner Pacific Brands.
Have you been affected by the job cuts? Post a message below, or email us at scoop@illawarramercury.com.au King Gee workers get ready to shut up shop Illawarra employment co-ordinator Jane Robinson, who has been appointed by the Federal Government to assist the region through the economic downturn, said the Poppets downsize was made after a fall in work over the past decade.She said the fate of employees had been sealed after the recent loss of a major clothing contract."Unfortunately, that work will be going offshore," Ms Robinson said.She said the employees had been given four to five weeks' notice. Management had assured staff that all entitlements would be paid."I will be meeting with the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union representative and a TAFE representative on Monday to ascertain what retraining options are available to the employees,'' Ms Robinson said.She said that, as with the KingGee workers, Poppets employees would be entitled to a range of assistance in retraining for new employment."Wollongong TAFE has been involved in assisting the (KingGee) staff to identify new career paths and the majority of women have selected a preferred training course,'' she said. "Opportunities such as this provide more than a glimmer of hope.''"The staff at both factories have been a very stable workforce who have shown a wonderful work ethic," Ms Robinson said.Pacific Brands announced the redundancy of 281 factory workers in February, with the 43-year-old KingGee factory to close this month, followed by Bonds Unanderra in February next year.
