The 350 workers at NEC’s Co Meath operations have agreed to accept a redundancy offer from the company. NEC announced in recent months it plans to shut down its Ballivor plant after more than 30 years in operation.
Workers at the manufacturing plant received the devastating news in February. Talks had been taking place since then between the NEC and union representatives regarding a redundancy package for the workers.
Workers today agreed a redundancy deal worth 7.75 weeks’ pay per year of services, including statutory entitlements. The company also agreed to ensure that pension benefit entitlements will be fully funded.
The company decided to close its Irish manufacturing operation because of high operating costs and is moving its operation to Malaysia and Singapore.
The NEC plant in Ballivor has been operating for more than 30 years and was long regarded as a jewel in the crown for Ireland’s electronics industry.
It is understood that all of the jobs at the plant will be phased out by September. The operation had been manufacturing semiconductors for the European automotives industry.
By John Kennedy
