Mar 18, 2009

Panasonic axes 130

ELECTRONICS giant Panasonic Semiconductor Asia has started retrenching production workers, with some reports saying that as many as 200 people could be axed.

The layoffs - which could affect 10 per cent of the firm's workforce here - began yesterday with 90 people being retrenched with more to get their pink slips on Wednesday.

Workers are being told they are to go once they end their shift at the plant in Ang Mo Kio. Panasonic was unavailable for comment.

When The Straits Times visited the company's premises at 4pm on Tuesday, a stream of workers was being ushered into a building with their belongings in plastic bags. One was crying.

They later boarded a bus to Cheng San Community Centre, where they received a briefing on the help they could expect.

Some have told The Straits Times that they received a severance package comprising one month's pay for each year of service plus one month's pay in lieu of short notice.

Madam Ong, 52, was one of those laid off. She has worked as an electronics operator in the company for almost 30 years, being among the first batch of workers hired when the company started up.

It produces diodes, transistors and microcomputers among other semiconductors.

Madam Ong is disappointed but added: 'I'm okay with it because my kids are already grown up. And retrenchments are happening worldwide, not just in Singapore.'

But she said that some people who were very upset as they still have young children to raise.

- The Straits Times

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