Wales First Minister holds meeting with Tata Steel on likely job losses at Port Talbot plant
Wales First Minister Vaughan Gething on Friday said he held a «candid meeting» with Tata Steel on the issue of expected job losses at the company's Port Talbot plant in South Welsh. The First Minister, who is on a visit to India as part of the trade mission, also expressed hope that the Indian steel major, which has a «positive reputation», would take the same approach for the workers at the Welsh plant.
Last month, Tata Steel announced to proceed ahead with its plans to close down the two furnaces at the plant and replace them with electric furnaces as part of its plans to go green in steel manufacturing.
The proposed move could affect some 2,500 jobs in the next 18 months. But trade unions have opposed the move, and some 1,500 workers have reportedly voted in favour of an industrial action.
"...Today was a candid meeting, and I'm looking forward to what I expect will be a further conversation between the company (Tata Steel) and trade unions over the coming few days as well.
"...Tata group has a positive reputation ...as it looks to care for its workforce, I'm hoping that same approach will be taken for Welsh workers as well. Who are a loyal and skilled workforce," Gething told reporters in Mumbai.
"...obviously one of the biggest issues is the future of the workplace. You know, I've got thousands of people I am responsible for our employee," he noted.
Tata Steel, in a statement, said it had a productive discussion with the First Minister of Wales about progressing our plans to secure the future of
