Remploy workers make social enterprise bid

Workers employed at the troubled Remploy plants are bidding to turn factories in the Remploy automotive business into social enterprises to save the jobs of disabled workers.

According to the GMB general union, Remploy workers at sites in Birmingham, Coventry and Derby have put in independent bids and have gained the backing of MPs, schools for disabled people, unions, and consultants.

If the bids are successful the plan is that any surplus profits will go to help train disabled people and help good causes.

Remploy workers have been facing the prospect of losing their jobs following the decision by the Department for Work and Pensions to remove funding from all Remploy factories by September 2013 with the loss of 1,021 disabled jobs across the country.

This number does not include employees who are not disabled who will also lose their jobs. So far, only the profitable automotive business is being sold as a going concern, although other Remploy businesses are being considered.

Neil Williams, GMB regional organiser, said: “This bid is independent and totally separate from Remploy and has a lot of backing and support from many sectors.” He added that it had been a difficult time for Remploy employees “and this venture offers hope”.

The unions have also been looking into the training side of the social enterprise bid to include NVQ apprenticeships and work placements.