 Staff at the factory make underwear for Marks and Spencer's |
Nearly 200 workers at a factory which makes lingerie for Marks and Spencer could lose their jobs after it was announced the plant is being considered for closure. It comes just over a year since the Bentwood Clothing Company halved its workforce at Aberbargoed near Bargoed.
Staff have been told that the proposed closure is necessary for the company to meet its business needs.
The news comes in the same week as confirmation that more than 400 national rail enquiry call centre jobs in Cardiff are under threat after a contract was not be renewed.
The GMB Union, which represents the 170 workers at the Aberbargoed plant, has said they are in talks with the company which should last around 90 days.
But although none of the employees will lose their jobs before those discussions are completed in March, GMB's Mervyn Burnett says the outlook for the future of the factory doesn't look good.
"Once they make these announcements they have usually made their minds up," he said.
 |  I feel sick and betrayed. We have put a lot of hard work into the company  |
Lyn Ryan has worked at the factory for more than eight years.
"I think a lot of us have seen it coming for a little while maybe two months or more.
"We have worked non stop, under a lot of pressure. And there has been a lot of pressure to work on in the nights and work your Fridays.
"Then all of a sudden there has been this lull and you realise something is not right.
"I feel sick and betrayed. We have put a lot of hard work into the company.
"We have been loyal and I don't think that loyalty has been repaid. So at the moment I feel quite bitter.
"I am 53 years of age and I am bothered that I will not get another job but I will try.
"But, there is nothing around, there is nothing in the area at all, manufacturing jobs are going so fast and it is scary," she added.
Wayne David, the MP for Caerphilly said that despite efforts by the company, cheaper labour overseas was to blame.
"We knew all along it was going to be difficult. The problems that Bentwood have continued to encounter are the same as a year ago.
"Basically Marks and Spencer's can buy garments in places in Morocco and have them made much cheaper than they can at Aberbargoed.
Bentwood have said there is no comment to make on the proposed closure.
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