30 March 2010 - The Green Euro-MP for Hampshire and the South East will quiz the European Commission this week over the decision by Twinings to move some of its operations to Poland, resulting in the loss of 130 jobs in Andover.

Caroline Lucas MEP, a member of the Euro-Parliament’s International Trade Committee, will demand assurances that EU funding is not being used to encourage companies like Twinings – and its parent corporation Associated British Food – to switch to cheaper workforces elsewhere in Europe.

The MEP, who is also Green Party leader, warned that multinational corporations could be benefitting from EU capacity-building in new Member states, subsequently undercutting British workers and potentially exploiting foreign labour forces as part of cost cutting exercises to boost profit. She said:

“The closure of the Twinings factory in Andover is a devastating blow for local workers and their families. I am concerned that the EU is making it easy for multinationals like ABF to outsource their production to cheaper workforces – especially to countries where workers may lack union rights.

“The Commission must clarify whether or not Twinings or its parent company will receive EU funding for the building of a new factory in Poland, or for the subsequent planned creation of new jobs. It must also confirm whether any EU grants made to Poland since accession in 2004 have been used specifically to encourage businesses to relocate from other member states to Poland.

“If EU money is being used in this way, the Commission needs to explain why, and what compensatory provision is being made for workers in the Member states like the UK where jobs are lost.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors