Mossmorran: Governments must step-in to protect workers
Response from Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell to reports of job losses at Mossmorran.
In 2022, Mark published plans for a net zero future at Mossmorran which called on the site to pivot to skilled green jobs to protect the economy and cut emissions.
Following pressure from the Scottish Greens, in 2024 the Scottish Government promised to publish a Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran in early 2025, however no such plan has been produced.
Mark said:
“This is devastating news for the local community and will cause a lot of anxiety and for hundreds of workers and their families.
“It will feel familiar to everyone who saw the results of inaction in Grangemouth. ExxonMobil has reported eye-watering profits and now it is cutting and running and abandoning workers.
“This is exactly what happens when you leave Scotland’s green industrial future in the hands of multi-millionaire owners of fossil fuel companies rather than bringing workers and trade unions to the table.
“The Scottish Greens have long called for a worker-led Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran - this is exactly why. The Scottish Government promised to come up with a plan more than a year ago but have failed to deliver it.
“Ministers must use today's statement to announce their plans for the site and how they will support workers and their families at this incredibly difficult time.
“The UK government must also be willing to step-in and do everything it can to ensure that we are keeping jobs and skills in the community.
“The Mossmorran site employs some of the most skilled workers in our country and supports many more. It can have a sustainable and prosperous future in the green economy, but only if there is a clear and deliverable plan in place that centres the workers and unions and looks to the future.
“Workers and their families deserve security and stability and not be abandoned like what happened at Grangemouth.”