Mass redundancies at Actavis
Photo: Rósa Braga
300 jobs in Iceland are on the line as global pharmaceutical company Actavis decides to relocate its manufacturing operations abroad.
Staff were informed yesterday of the company’s decision, which involves final closure of the Icelandic factory in mid-2017. According to Actavis, the rationale behind the move is to streamline operations and guarantee the company’s competitiveness on the international stage.
The Actavis group has conducted a study into maximising utilisation of its manufacturing capacity. The study concludes that factories in other locations have the leeway to take over the products currently manufactured in Iceland.
Redundancies will begin in eighteen months’ time and will be conducted over a period of six months.
Robert Stewart, President of Generic and Global Operations at Actavis plc., parent company of Actavis Iceland, told mbl.is that no decision has been taken on whether or not some staff will be offered jobs in other parts of the company. Other Actavis departments which are to remain in Iceland employ some 400 people.
In a statement regarding the decision, Stewart indicates that laid-off staff will receive support, training and compensation to help them through the announced changes.
