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MP vows to fight for pay for redundant Rushden workers
Former shoe factory workers are still fighting for money they are owed almost seven weeks after they were made redundant.
Now an MP has promised to discuss their case with Government officials.
About 35 workers lost their jobs at Alfred Sargent & Sons in Portland Road, Rushden, at the end of November. Since then they have been trying to get wages, holiday money, compensation and redundancy payments they are owed.
All they have received is one week's wages.
On Friday, more than 30 of them went to see their MP Peter Bone for help.
Among those who attended the meeting was Ron Allen of Rushden, who had been with the company for 25 years and was a supervisor in its making room.
He said: "The company is supposed to have filled in forms so we can claim money from the Government, but every time we go to see them they fob us off.
"There are people living on their own who have no other money coming in. Some people face losing their homes and everyone has bills to pay."
Andrew Line, 41, of Rushden, worked at the factory for 13 years doing press cutting. He said: "Things have been very tough. There are no jobs out there. I'm fed up chasing them for my money, we shouldn't have to do that."
Gilliant Clement, 51, of Rushden was employed as a main eyeleter and had been at the firm since 1999 apart from a short break in 2004.
She said: "I'm finding things very difficult. I'm getting divorced, I've lost my job and I'm losing my home. We've been treated despicably."
Another former worker, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "I've had to go to friends to get some food.
"I feel humiliated and can't believe this is happening in the 21st century."
Mr Bone raised the matter with the Trade Secretary before Christmas and was told if a company was still operating but was struggling to pay redundancy money, the Government could make the payment and the company could pay it back as it recovered.
He said he would return to the House of Commons today to find out why this had not happened.
Mr Bone said: "I will make it my priority to try to get this sorted out. There's no argument about the fact these people are entitled to this money.
"They've had to go through Christmas without their money which isn't acceptable."
No-one from Alfred Sargent was willing to comment.
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