The recent economic news from Belfast is not good. The uncertainty surrounding the future of Bombardier aerospace factories in Northern Ireland has placed up to 4,000 jobs in serious doubt. The Canadian business announced it has plans to consolidate operations and therefore sell off the plants it currently runs in Northern Ireland and Morocco.
The prospect of plant closures is alarming. The jobs represented something of a success story in Northern Ireland in recent years, offering high productivity returns and wages paid above the average rate on offer across the country. Moreover the closure of four factories – Belfast, Newtownabbey, Dunmurry and Newtownards – holds adverse implications across the region and raises the possibility of further job losses further along the supply chains.
The lack of a functioning government in Stormont is once again highlighted. The political parties provide no reassurances or even the pretence of representing the interests of the labour force. At a time when political leadership is required to speak on the behalf of it constituents it is found sadly wanting.
