The Scottish Government has broken its promise to workers facing job losses at ExxonMobil's Mossmorran plant, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens has accused First Minister John Swinney. Ross Greer challenged Swinney in parliament over a transition plan pledged 18 months ago, as over 400 jobs hang in the balance following the plant's announced closure.
ExxonMobil confirmed on Tuesday that its Fife Ethylene Plant will shut permanently in February, putting 179 directly employed staff and approximately 250 contractors at risk. The plant, which has operated for 40 years producing base material for plastics, accounts for 10 percent of Scotland's total emissions.
The company has suggested around 50 workers could transfer to its Fawley petrochemical complex in Hampshire—500 miles away. Greer told the Scottish Parliament: «On Tuesday, workers at ExxonMobil's Mossmorran site were locked out of their workplace and told that they would lose their jobs, 200 staff and 250 contractors are facing unemployment. Ludicrously ExxonMobil have suggested they could support workers to get a job at their other site 500 miles away in Southampton.»
Promise from 18 months ago
During First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Greer highlighted that the government had committed to developing a "just transition plan" for Mossmorran workers in April 2024. Mairi McAllan, then Net Zero Secretary, told MSPs at the time: «Following the publication of a just transition plan for Grangemouth, I can confirm we will co-develop a just transition plan for Mossmorran.»
Greer said: «We all knew this was coming. For years the Scottish Greens called on the Government to develop a just transition plan for Mossmorran and in April 2024 the Government agreed, promising that work would commence within months.» He added: «That was 18 months ago. On behalf of the workers and the families who thought the Scottish Government had their back, can I ask the First Minister where is that transition plan?»
Swinney's defense
Swinney responded that the government is focused on learning from the Grangemouth refinery closure experience. He said: «The work the Government is undertaking as set out by the Deputy First Minister on Tuesday is focused on learning on the experience that we are taking forward in Grangemouth – of the business ventures and developments that come forward supported by Scottish Enterprise to enable us to assist companies and individuals to meet the just transition.»
He described ExxonMobil's decision as "very damaging" and said: «That is the work that the Government is taking forward as a consequence of the very damaging decision that was taken on Tuesday, and we will support that activity with the assistance and intervention that the Government has set out.»
Greer was unconvinced, telling parliament: «the reality is there is no plan» and that the government «broke its promise to the workers at Mossmorran».
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
