Dutch firm urged to pay up to help axed workers

By KATRINE BUSSEY
Published on 20/10/2012 00:00

The owners of Hall’s of Broxburn are facing demands to “put their hands in their pocket” to help the local economy.

Dutch food group Vion is shutting down the West Lothian meat processing plant with the loss of 1,700 jobs. The firm turned down two last-minute bids to save the factory, which is making losses of £79,000 a day.

Fiona Hyslop, the MSP for Linlithgow, told delegates: “The Scottish Government has stood by the workforce from day one. I know we will continue to do so as we now build for recovery. But …Vion must face up to their responsibilities, put their hands in their pocket to aid the community they are leaving behind.”

Livingston MSP Angela Constance blasted Vion’s “stubborn refusal” to accept offers for the site and said some believed it had been “hell-bent on closure”.