A Whanganui engineering firm has told its workers 44 people will be made redundant due to a tough economic climate, a union says.
Axiam Metals is in consultation to confirm the extent of the redundancies and who will be affected, a statement from the Engineering, Print and Media and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) says.
Union organiser Colin Webster says the company has been forced to cut staff numbers as sales had dropped recently.
"The sad truth is there aren't many similar jobs around in Whanganui, and for a lot of our members this will mean having to leave the region and possibly New Zealand to find similar work," he said.
"This shows the need for a government plan to help build a high wage, innovative manufacturing sector that can provide skilled jobs for regions like Whanganui."
