‘Devastating’ — Kimberly-Clark workers shattered by decision to close down factory

Devastated workers at Kimberly-Clark’s Ingleburn Mill have pleaded with the company to reverse its decision to close down the facility which manufactures Huggies Nappies.

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Devastated workers at Kimberly-Clark’s Ingleburn Mill have pleaded with the company to reverse its decision to close down the facility.

The Huggies Nappies manufacturer told 220 staff yesterday they would be losing their jobs when the company shifts its operations overseas in July.

CFMEU representatives met with senior management at the Ingleburn Mill this morning and asked the company to reverse the decision.

CFMEU Manufacturing NSW district secretary Michael Aird said workers had been left in the dark when they asked the reasons behind the company’s decision to move jobs offshore.

“We said to them ‘Can you tell us why you’re making this decision?’ and the response was ‘no answer’,” he said.

CFMEU Manufacturing NSW district secretary Michael Aird said workers had been left in the dark. Picture: Damian Shaw

“Today they’ve refused to discuss with workplace leaders representing 220 workers about why they are losing their jobs.

“We’re saying today that the decision is wrong, that the decision needs to be reversed.

Mr Aird urged Prime Minster Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to intervene in the matter and “save the jobs”.

“Good manufacturing needs to be protected in this country, they are being offshored. The company disgracefully said in their announcement yesterday they had greater access to technology and engineering. Don’t we have engineering skills in Australia,” said Mr Aird.

“The government needs to step in, we can’t throw away over 200 jobs … Scott Morrison as a Prime Minister of the country needs to use his moral authority to bring people together.”

Mr Aird said workers rights had been violated and that they shouldn’t have to “turn up to work” before being told “sorry you’ve lost your job”.

“If you stand for jobs, what counts is your actions. What action is the government going to take? What action is Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian going to take?”

American manufacturing giant Kimberly-Clark has laid off its entire Western Sydney workforce. Picture: Damian Shaw

Night shift worker Glenys Kerrigan, who has worked in the quality department at Kimberly-Clark for 33 years, told reporters outside the facility the decision had left the factory’s workforce shattered.

“It’s an Australian-made product for Australian mums, this is what we’ve been pushing for all these years,” she said.

“To come in yesterday and find out three months down the track that we’re not going to have our jobs anymore is devastating. I had my daughter in absolute tears, my wife is devastated so yeah, it’s hard.

“Everyone says you’re on a good wicket, you’re on a good wage, but based on a 38-hour week we’re not, we’re equivalent to everybody else.

“It’s just going to be really hard to put food on the table and cover the bills with all the expenses.”

“Huggies Nappies need to continue to be made in Australia.”

The CFMEU and local politicians have called on Kimberly-Clark to reverse its decision. Picture: Damian Shaw

In a statement on Wednesday, Kimberly-Clark pledged the workers would be paid their full entitlements and redundancy pay.

“Going forward, production will move to Kimberly-Clark facilities in Asia, enabling faster access to the latest research and engineering advancements in nappies and pants,” Kimberly-Clark Australia and New Zealand managing director Doug Cunningham said.

The letter from Kimberley Clark in relation to the closure of their Ingleburn factory

Macquarie Fields state Labor MP Anoulack Chanthivong backed workers calling for the decision to be reversed.

“Job losses such as this are never good news, particularly as our local area is one of the fastest growing in Sydney,” he said.

“I call on the company to reverse this outrageous decision.”

Macarthur federal Labor MP Dr Michael Freelander said moving the Mill overseas was a “senseless decision”.

“My thoughts are with the staff of Kimberly-Clark and their families, during this difficult time. This decision will have a devastating impact upon the Macarthur community,” he said.

“I strongly believe that Kimberly-Clark should reverse this senseless decision.

“Their decision to shift operations to Asia is shortsighted and only in the interest of boosting

profits.”

Macarthur federal Labor MP Dr Michael Freelander described the move as “senseless”. Picture: Damian Shaw

Huggies Quality controller and machines operator Karen Hurnall, who met her husband at the factory and has a 26-year-old daughter, said on Thursday that workers were upset and demanded that their jobs be saved.

“I’ve know nothing but this place … and my husband also works at Huggies. He’s a machines operator too,” said Ms Hurnall.

“I urge Scott Morrison to save us, save Australian jobs. This is ridiculous and we aren’t the only company that has gone overseas.”

Ms Hurnall said despite Huggies being “American-owned”, they were “Australia-based” and the employees were “good Aussie hard workers”.

“We make very good nappies here.”

“It’s not just this mill that will be affected by this shut, we have electricians and contractors, maintenance staff and everything. It’s not just 220 people,” said Karen.

The decision means Huggies Nappies will no longer be made in Australia. Picture: Damian Shaw

“We have put our blood and sweat into this place and it hurts what they’re doing … I’ve worked every second weekend and missed out on milestones that I didn’t want to miss.”

Retrenched employee Ken Fleming, 61, said he was in “deep shock” and would struggle to find a job after working decades testing and making the Huggies nappy product.

“You have 220 employees here who have been totally dedicated … we asked them to reverse the decision and there was no answer,” Mr Fleming said.

“We believe they should keep the manufacturing in Australia rather than going to China, Korea or Singapore.

“Just because it has the Huggies brand it doesn’t mean it will be the best … to make the best nappies we do all these tests.”

Mr Fleming said many of the workers will not be able to find a job and he was angered at the way the situation had been handled.

“A lot of us are in our late 50s and early 60s and we have to go get another job. It will be hard,” he said.

“I’m concerned for all the young people as well.

“Kimberly-Clark have a lot to answer for … most people are in shock.”