IRELAND: HP TO LAY-OFF ANOTHER 120 EMPLOYEES

[Anonymous]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0305/1224242304963.html
Kildare facility to lay off 120 contract workers
HEWLETT-PACKARD:
ABOUT 120 contract staff at Hewlett-Packard’s Kildare facility are to
lose their jobs.The company confirmed last night the staff concerned
were to be let go, but said the job losses would have happened
regardless of the economic situation as the fixed-term contracts had
come to an end.“Hewlett-Packard (Manufacturing) Limited, Dublin Inkjet
Operation continually reviews its business and makes changes to improve
its cost structure and to drive efficiencies that will help grow the
business,” the company said.“As part of this process HP Manufacturing
does work with suppliers to contract flexible workers for temporary
positions to meet the changing needs of our business and demand cycles.
HP confirms that 120 contract positions will have ended recently as
part of normal work adjustments . . .”

In January, HP wrote to
staff at its at the inkjet manufacturing plant in Leixlip, Co Kildare,
asking them to take eight days leave during March or April so it could
temporarily shut the plant.The affected staff represented one-third of
the 4,000-strong workforce. The company plans to close the
manufacturing plant for a time between St Patrick’s Day and Easter,
with staff requested to take annual or unpaid leave.The job losses come
as other companies in the high-tech sector look at rationalising
operations to cut costs. The most devastating job losses were at Dell
Ireland in Limerick in January, where more than 1,900 workers lost
their jobs.Last month, Intel announced it would cut its Irish staff
numbers by 200-300 workers. The multinational is implementing a
cost-cutting plan which saw it close five factories in the US, the
Philippines and Malaysia in January.

[Author]

March 10, 2009 at 11:15 AM