Workplace Report July 2011

Equality news

Remploy sites may close

Over 50 Remploy factories employing 2,500 disabled workers could be closed if the government implements the recommendations in a controversial new report, warns the GMB general union.

The government commissioned report into disability employment support conducted by Liz Sayce, chief executive of disability charity RADAR, proposes concentrating funding on individuals through the existing Access to Work programme. Sayce calls for government-funded support to be focused on the person and their employer and not the facility.

Minister for disabilities Maria Miller has issued a statement saying that she was attracted to the recommendations in the Sayce report. But the GMB has warned that if the government implement the recommendations there are no prospects for the 54 Remploy factories as they could not survive without the public support they currently receive.

“If she goes ahead on the basis of Sayce the 54 factories will close and 2,500 disabled workers will lose their jobs and go on the dole,” said Phil Davies, GMB national secretary for Remploy. “The Sayce Report is full of aspirations and has very little substance. Most of the report refers to moving resources away from disabled workers in manufacturing to find work for disabled people.”

The GMB argues that the 54 factories provide real jobs making products for mainstream companies like Jaguar Land Rover and supplying goods to the armed forces.

The report is out for public consultation until October.