Jobs loss at Dell in Limerick Computer multi-national Dell has announced that it is cutting 1,900 jobs at its plant in Limerick over the next 12 months. Dell will move all production of computer systems for customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa from Limerick to its Polish facility and third-party manufacturers over the next year. The company says it expects the reduction to be complete by January next year with workers beginning to leave the plant in April. Economists have warned that each job at Dell underpins another four or five Irish jobs. Dell says the move is among a series of actions being taken to simplify operations, improve productivity and reduce costs. Dell has been involved in a global review of its operations for several months, in an effort to cut $3bn a year off its costs by 2011. The company said affected workers will receive competitive severance package and career outplacement assistance as they leave from the company. Major blow Taoiseach Brian Cowen has described the loss of the 1,900 jobs as a major blow to Limerick and the mid-west region. The American Chamber of Commerce, which represents US firms in Ireland, said the Dell decision was a significant blow to Limerick, the Mid-West region and the Irish economy. It warned that other similar decisions, what it called disinvestment within the multinational sector, could be expected in the next 12 to 18 months. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Family Affairs has said it has been in touch with management at Dell to let them know that they will make staff available to talk with workers directly about their entitlements and to help process their claims. They plan to base a number of staff on site on a temporary basis from April in order to process claims for the staff affected by today’s announcement.

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