Support offered to workers hit by fish plant closures

The Scottish government says support has been offered to workers facing redundancy at salmon processing facilities in Lewis.

Bakkafrost Scotland said on 11 July it was closing its sites at Marybank and Arnish, near Stornoway, as a temporary but extended measure.

It said the move affected about 80 staff and was because the majority of its fish were harvested in the first part of the year, and there would be minimal activity for the facilities for the next 18 months.

Employment Minister Tom Arthur said he had met the company and employees could access support from the Scottish government’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (Pace).

Mr Arthur said: “The closure of Bakkafrost’s factory is clearly disappointing but I am assured this will be temporary.

"I have asked officials to continue to seek the re-opening of these facilities and return of jobs as quickly as possible."

Faroese-owned Bakkafrost Scotland said earlier this month it had been forced to consider "extremely difficult scenarios in order to futureproof the business and secure our remaining staff across Scotland".