Concern after IKEA’s decision. The employment office organizes urgent meetings for dismissed workers

The IKEA factory in Wielbark is planning group layoffs that will cover 240 employees. The District Labor Office in Szczytno received information about the employment reduction on April 10, i.e. 10 days before the start of the layoff procedure.

According to the director of the office, Beata Januszczyk, employees received notices between April 20 and 30. Some people were given one month’s notice, and some were given three months’ notice. It all depends on the length of service.

The layoffs will include production and administration

The employment reduction applies to both production and administrative employees. According to information provided to the labor office, the company explains the decision by a decline in orders for products, the deteriorating economic situation and rising operating costs.

The IKEA factory in Wielbark specializes in the production of furniture made of solid pine wood. The plant also operates a sawmill, a glued board factory and a pellet plant.

The employment office organizes help for those laid off

The District Labor Office in Szczytno started meetings with dismissed employees. The aim of the activities is to help find new employment and present available forms of support.

During the meetings, officials inform about the possibilities of obtaining funding for intervention work, retrofitting workplaces or vocational training. Interested people will also be able to apply for funds to start their own business.

ZUS and employers will also appear at the meetings

Career advisors, benefits department employees and ZUS representatives are also to be involved in assistance activities. Laid-off employees will receive information regarding registration as unemployed, rules for granting benefits and activation allowances.

Employers interested in employing people leaving IKEA are also expected to attend the meetings. ZUS employees will additionally inform you about the possibilities of obtaining pre-retirement benefits.

Unemployment is rising in the region

According to data from the District Labor Office in Szczytno, there are currently over 2.3 thousand registered in the district. unemployed. That’s about 17 percent. more than a year earlier. The unemployment rate is currently 11.3 percent.

The office’s database currently contains 61 job offers in Szczytno County. The mayor of Szczytno, Stefan Ochman, admitted that IKEA’s decision was a surprise and caused concern in the region. He noted, however, that other furniture and wood companies also operate in the area.