50 engineering workers lose their jobs as orders dry up

UP TO 50 workers at an engineering firm loaned almost £ 0million of taxpayers’ cash face losing their jobs due to a lack of orders.

Around 35 staff at BiFab’s yard on the Isle of Lewis are being let go today, with a further 15 to follow on Monday.

It is understood that will leave 30 staff at the Arnish yard. BiFab said the redundancies have been caused by the completion of its only contract.

It is understood the contract for turbine piles for the Moray East offshore wind farm is due to be completed within six weeks. However, no new contract is confirmed and personnel are being paid off. Canadian company DF Barnes bought out loss-making BiFab last year.

BiFab received £37. million of investment from the Scottish Government by the end of March.

A spokesman for DF Barnes said: ‘DF Barnes has been successful in securing new work for BiFab and, with the support of our great workforce, has brought jobs back to Arnish and Methil.

‘We are very confident that more will follow.’