Ulster Unionist economy spokesperson Adrian Cochrane-Watson has criticised the attitude of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister as being ‘complacent and out of touch’, in the wake of significant job losses in the manufacturing sector.
Mr Cochrane-Watson said:
“The news today that 42 jobs are being lost at Sensata Technologies, formerly Schrader, in Carrickfergus, puts the economy Minister’s recent public performances into context. These jobs may have been temporary positions, but the fact is that another 42 households will be losing a wage packet before the end of the year. There are also worrying noises coming out of Caterpillar at the moment. Added to the recent job losses at JTI and Michelin, we have a very serious situation facing manufacturing in Northern Ireland.
“However, in his recent appearances at the dispatch box in the Assembly, Minister Bell has given the impression that all is rosy in the garden. His attitude at Question Time and during a debate in the Assembly yesterday was quite shocking. When I raised the plight of manufacturing and the workers who are losing their jobs, he accused me of lying and being ignorant of my constituency. This, from a Minister who, unlike myself, has no real life experience of running a business in the private sector.
“In response to the recent job losses in manufacturing, he quotes success stories including Schrader, seemingly unaware of their take over and name change to Sensata or their impending job losses. He also appears to be unaware of the latest Northern Ireland Purchasing Managers Index. This survey shows that in October manufacturing output growth was flat, and manufacturing employment fell for the second consecutive month, which is the fastest rate of decline since June 2013. This was before the latest redundancies were announced.
“The Minister needs to take his position seriously, learn to accept criticism with good grace, and accept that being Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment is not all about smiling for the camera at photo opportunities. I am sure that Mr Bell, on reflection, should agree that giving the impression of being smug, complacent and out of touch, is not a good look for a government Minister who is meant to be in charge of the economy in Northern Ireland.”