Deputy First minister Kate Forbes is offering a £9 million package of support to workers being made redundant the Mossmorran ethylene plant.
ExxonMobil announced it would be shutting the 40-year-old Fife facility next month, affecting 400 workers.
It said it had tested the market for a potential buyer, “but the UK’s current economic and policy environment combined with market conditions, high supply costs and plant efficiency do not create a competitive future for the site.”
UK government critics said it was another warning to Labour ministers that the transition to green energy jobs was not moving quickly enough, combined with a lack of support for the oil & gas sector.
The Scottish government has made attempts to save the plant but is now resigned to finding alternative employment opportunities.
A taskforce led by Fife Council meets for the first time today and will be attended by Business and Employment Minister Richard Lochhead.
Ms Forbes said: “This is a worrying time for the workforce at Mossmorran and they rightly expect urgent action. I met worker representatives earlier this month to assure them that we are doing all we can to support them and the wider community.
“We have allocated £9 million over three years in our draft Budget to help staff and communities affected by the plant’s closure.
“Today’s meeting is an opportunity to engage with the UK Government, Fife Council, unions and local partners to agree how we best support individuals impacted by ExxonMobil’s decision.
“In the meantime, our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative is providing skills and employability support for workers.”
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