Corus Trostre, further job losses

At the Corus steel plant in Trostre, Llanelli, a further 300 jobs will be lost due to a claimed 'global overcapacity'. In July 2007, 90 jobs were cut due to 'difficult market conditions', the unions were not consulted and all this amidst the company's claims that it was necessary to secure the plant's long-term future.

Only five miles down the road in Gorseinon, 3M are halving their workforce whilst Avon Inflatables are cutting their Llanelli workforce by 57 with a view to the plant's final closure in 2010. Their excuse being 'market forces', evidently slang for avarice.

The latest debacle means 300 families are now without their main source of income. The 'global overcapacity' of which they speak is a result of the chaotic, inefficient and destructive capitalist economic model.

The work is now outsourced to the far east where steel and tin workers there will be further exploited for capitalist gains.

When Corus was taken over by Tata, Peter Hain was given 'absolute assurance' over the plant's long-term future. Yet this promise has proven to be totally valueless.

These uncontrollable 'market forces', this system which destroys families and communities, needs changing. A planned economy would deliver stability and steady, fair and fulfilling employment.

Gareth Snaith