MSP Allan meets BiFab workers at Arnish yard
NA H-EILEANAN AN IAR MSP Alasdair Allan says it is impossible to think of the future of Lewis without the Arnish Construction Yard.
Operated by troubled Fifebased engineering firm, BiFab, the Lewis yard has seen its operations wound down in recent weeks as work from the Beatrice offshore wind farm contract dried up.
It is reported the firm will run out of work for its remaining 1,000 members of staff at the end of March and it is now bidding for several contracts it hopes will keep its workers in employment.
BiFab, which employs 1,000, was saved from administration late last year after the offer of a £15 million loan from the Scottish Government, but is now faced with legal action by one of its business partners, German firm EEW.
Last week, Dr Allan met with representatives of the Arnish workforce.
‘This is a difficult time for the workforce at Arnish. When BiFab was threatened with administration towards the end of last year, a huge factor in keeping it going was the dignity and resilience of yard employees,’ he said.
‘The Scottish Government has been vigorously assisting with efforts to seek out new contracts for BiFab after intervening to save the company from administration.
‘Arnish plays a huge role in the economy of Lewis and I don’t think it’s possible to imagine the future of the island without it.
‘As local MSP, I continue to take up a number of issues concerning Arnish, and I always emphasise the unique attributes and quality of production in the yard. I will raise again with both the company and the Scottish Government the need for information which the workforce has at this time.
‘I hope that BiFab will also work closely with Skills Development Scotland and the comhairle to allow apprentices and the training of young people.
‘The renewables sector in Scotland continues to expand and there will be plenty of opportunities for manufacturing in this area.
‘Our collective focus has to be on putting Arnish in the best possible position to capitalise on this work.’