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| Panasonic workers worry over jobs | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Panasonic employees in south Wales face an uncertain future after the Japanese company announced it would shed 15,000 jobs and close 27 plants worldwide. | Panasonic employees in south Wales face an uncertain future after the Japanese company announced it would shed 15,000 jobs and close 27 plants worldwide. |
| The firm employs over 1,000 staff at its Cardiff base, which manufactures electronic products and is the European research and development centre. | The firm employs over 1,000 staff at its Cardiff base, which manufactures electronic products and is the European research and development centre. |
| A further 500 workers in Newport make communication equipment, with 250 staff producing car speakers in Port Talbot. | A further 500 workers in Newport make communication equipment, with 250 staff producing car speakers in Port Talbot. |
| Panasonic said it was braced for a big economic loss due to the downturn. | Panasonic said it was braced for a big economic loss due to the downturn. |
| Half the job losses and plant closures will be overseas and half in Japan, the company announced. | |
| Jonathan Deacon from Newport Business School said companies like Panasonic were particularly at risk of cutbacks during periods of economic downturn. | |
| "I think it's a symbol of what's going on globally. Nobody wants to buy domestic electronic products anywhere on the planet right now," he said. | |
| Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central where the largest Panasonic plant is based, called the news worrying. | |
| "There are some highly skilled jobs at the plant and it's worrying for the people who have built up a range of skills over the years," she said. | |
| "This is a particularly vulnerable sector in a recession. | |
| "Even if you're expecting it, it's no easier to swallow when it comes." |