A local Senator has said alternative employment must be found for almost 40 people who are losing their jobs at a cigar manufacturing company in Ballaghaderreen.

It was announced on Thursday that 38 people will be made redundant at J Cortes in Ballaghaderreen as the jobs are being moved to Sri Lanka.

Senator Maura Hopkins and Cllr Liam Callaghan met with company management yesterday to discuss the issue.

Senator Hopkins says the management advised them that they are making plans to move their newly acquired cigar manufacturing operations from Ballaghaderreen to one of their existing plants in Sri Lanka. They also advised them that they are meeting with SIPTU representatives to discuss plans for employees due to this decision.

She says it is very disappointing and disheartening because the J Cortes company acquired ECMI on January 18^th last and 12 weeks later they announce they are moving operations.

Senator Hopkins says when the plant was acquired and their stated public intention was for a smooth transition of ownership back in January, we were led to believe the future of the facility was secure. These hopes have now been dashed by this news.

The company told Midwest News in a statement on Thursday evening that they wish to engage in consultation with staff before issuing redundancy notifications from May 15^th next and say the purpose of this consultation is to explore any alternatives to the proposed closure of the factory.

However Senator Hopkins says having met with management it is very difficult to understand how this consultation can be successful when they have confirmed they are moving operations to Sri Lanka.

Senator Hopkins says her focus is now on trying to help the employees and support them in any way possible. She spoke to Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O’Connor and outlined the negative impact it will have on the town of Ballaghaderreen and the employees themselves.

She says she has also made it very clear to the Minister that strong leadership is needed from her and her Department in order to secure continued or alternative employment for the 38 workers.

Senator Hopkins has also spoken to Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar in relation to state supports and re-training options that his department can provide.

Meanwhile the Ballaghaderreen Chamber of Commerce told Midwest News in a statement that they want a task force to be set up immediately involving all stakeholders, including the Minister for Jobs, Minster of State Michael Ring, Roscommon County Council, local TDs, Senator Hopkins, as well as local county councillors and Enterprise Ireland. The Chamber want the task force to urgently take action to maintain the ongoing employed for these 38 jobs by attracting new alternative industry to Ballaghaderreen.