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Herald Sun
Edition 1 - FIRSTTUE 07 FEB 2006, Page 016
120 jobs gone in Nylex closure
By Patrick O'Neil


NYLEX will axe 120 jobs from its Mentone plant next month and move the work to Malaysia.
More than half the workers are factory operators and the rest, administrative staff.
The plastics and manufacturing firm yesterday gave the workers a month's notice.
Nylex blamed increased competition and an ageing, obsolete factory for the cuts.
The factory, which is nearly 60 years old, produces industrial and automotive plastics.
George Mihas, who has been working in the factory's lacquering department since 1993, said the news hit hard.
Mr Mihas's wife cannot work because she has to care for their two-year-old son.
``I've got a mortgage and a young family,'' he said. ``I've got no real education or any trade so I don't know what I'll do.
``Most of the blokes are in a similar situation but some of them don't even speak English.
``I've got to look for work pronto.''
The company said axed workers would receive full entitlements and told staff at Nylex's factory in Sale their long-term futures were safe.
Nylex executive general manager Mark Stevens said international competition forced the company's hand.
``Our Mentone plant has been . . . successful for the best part of 60 years,'' Mr Stevens said.
``But the stark reality is the factory is technologically out of date and no longer competitive in the international market.''
National Union of Workers site representative Mark Cole said finding work would be hard for those who had spent their working lives there.
Mr Cole blamed the Federal Government for the job losses.
``What it highlights is the lack of any sort of policy the Federal Government has about keeping manufacturing jobs in this country,'' he said.
``They should come around and discuss with these manufacturing companies about how to keep these jobs here.''
Mr Mihas said a real concern was having to personally negotiate conditions at a new job because of the government workplace reforms.
``I could lose my penalty rates, my loading in my leave,'' he said.
``You need to raise that money. It is not easy having a young family.''
Caption: Future shock: George Mihas outside Nylex's Mentone plant.
Illus: Photo
IllusBy: FIONA HAMILTON