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Christmas has been ruined for more than 70 workers and their familes by yesterday's announcement that the Wainuiomata Feltex plant is to close.
Staff will receive four weeks pay in lieu of notice. But a skeleton crew will be expected to work over the next few weeks to complete orders and wind down the plant.
The company's other factory near Feilding, which prepares wool for spinners, will also close with about 30 job losses.
Both have been bought by Mosgiel-based competitor Alliance Textiles.
The layoffs are a huge blow for Wainuiomata. The suburb has lost hundreds of jobs with factory closures in recent years. Feltex was one of the area's biggest employers.
Today local MPs lashed out at company officials for the timing of the layoffs.
Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard said it was "appalling" and "shocking" timing.
"It will put further pressure on...