Roche Ireland Ltd yesterday announced that 50 to 60 workers at its Clarecastle plant in Co Clare are to lose their jobs.
This follows the Swiss pharmaceutical company's decision to cease production of the drug, Naproxen, at the end of this year. This, according to a company statement, is "part of a rationalisation of the global Naproxen business by the Roche group". Management and SIPTU officials at the plant were involved in discussions throughout yesterday following the announcement.
In its statement, Roche said the job losses "could be met through a scheme of voluntary redundancy and early retirement".
At present, the company employs 248 permanent staff with a further 100-200 contractors and temporary staff in capital projects and services.