Minister tours Mitsubishi plant

Federal Employment Participation Minister Brendan O'Connor has met Mitsubishi workers in Adelaide as the countdown rolls on to the shutdown of the company's car assembly plant.

Mr O'Connor and South Australian Employment Minister Paul Caica visited the Tonsley Park plant on Monday as part of ongoing moves by the two governments to assist the 930 staff to move into new positions.

They also announced the appointment of a project officer to ensure those made redundant received better training and employment services.

Mr O'Connor said the officer would ensure workers understood and could access the range of training and employment services that had been made available.

"During this time of transition it's important that workers are fully informed about the services that they can access," the minister said.

"This position has been jointly funded by the commonwealth and state governments to provide one on one assistance, mentoring and follow-up."

A two-day jobs expo also is planned for the Mitsubishi plant on Thursday and Friday this week.

It will give employers that require skilled staff the chance to promote their businesses.

Last week Mitsubishi workers voted to accept a $100 million redundancy package after successful negotiations between vehicle industry unions and company officials.

The package will provide for a seven-week lump sum payment plus four-and-a-half weeks' pay for every year of service to a maximum of 102 weeks.

Workers also will receive an extra week of pay for every year of service, uncapped, as a loyalty payment, all leave and long-service leave entitlements and be paid for up to 25 days of sick leave.

The Mitsubishi plant is due to close at the end of March.

Source: AAP 2008

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