Former KPL workers hit again with employment uncertainty

Workers who lost their jobs with the former utility company KPL based in Dungiven will be among the first casualties of the current crisis if the Department of Regional Development isn’t sorted out fast according to SDLP spokesperson John Dallat MLA.

Speaking today, he said: “The fallout from Danny Kennedy’s announcement that no more work cards are to be issued to contractors involved in road markings, street lighting and road maintenance cannot be overstated.  It will be catastrophic for many workers employed by utility companies and their suppliers.

“Among early casualties will be at least 40 former employees of KPL who found alternative employment but are now facing a new bout of uncertainty as work dries up.  This is unfair, unacceptable and disgraceful.

“The impact of the Minister’s announcement will be immediate with more and more people losing their jobs over the next few weeks.

“The job losses will not be confined to the contractors.  The manufacturers of products associated with road maintenance will also be hit with every possibility that they may never recover viability.  This is crazy and a dreadful reflection on the Northern Ireland Assembly that was supposed to bring stability to our workplace and act as a catalyst to restore confidence in our economy.

“Those in key positions of responsibility in the Executive need to get off their high horses fast and act immediately.”