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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Panasonic workers worry over jobs | Panasonic workers worry over jobs |
| (about 7 hours 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 640 staff at its Cardiff base, which manufactures electronic products and is the European research and development centre. | |
| A further 400 workers in Newport make telephone switchboards. Its plant in Port Talbot closed 18 months ago. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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. | "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. | "This is a particularly vulnerable sector in a recession. |
| "Even if you're expecting it, it's no easier to swallow when it comes." | "Even if you're expecting it, it's no easier to swallow when it comes." |