A LABOUR MSP has highlighted the closure of Amazon in Gourock at Holyrood and urged government agencies to pull out all the stops to stop workers being left on the scrapheap.

Paul O'Kane told the Scottish Parliament that the closure at Faulds Park, announced earlier this week, would have a 'huge impact' on the local community.

He insisted that the 300 axed workers 'cannot be left behind' and blasted Amazon's behaviour as scandalous, citing the £2m-plus the company has trousered from the taxpayer for the facility.

Mr O'Kane told MSPs in the chamber: "The impact of the Amazon closure on the local economy in Inverclyde cannot be overestimated, and is a huge concern to local people.

"It raises broader concerns about how public money is used and indeed, Amazon failing in its moral obligations to provide safe, stable and well-remunerated employment to the people of Inverclyde.”

Amazon bosses insist workers will be offered a chance to move to another distribution centre but have admitted this may not be a viable option for the workforce.

READ MORE: Amazon bosses snub Scottish Government over Gourock closure

Mr O'Kane says he is worried about the chances of realistic redeployment for local workers, given the travel time to other Scottish sites.

He quizzed Minister for Enterprise Ivan McKee on what plans the Scottish Government had to re-train and re-skill workers.

Mr O'Kane said: "Amazon [are] suggesting that people will be re-deployed, that doesn't seem likely."

The West Scotland MSP says West College Scotland and Skills Development Scotland must be utilised by the government to help train those being made redundant.

Mr McKee, in response, acknowledged the financial support give to the company by different governments during the period 2005-2011 for the Gourock plant.

He said: "I am happy to engage with anyone who can come forward with solutions or where we can work together to facilitate support for the site to secure the future of it.

"My colleague, the minister for skills, is engaged in ongoing programmes across the country to make sure we upskill people in Inverclyde and elsewhere and [this] is part of our discussions around this particular facility.

"I would be quite happy to engage with local college and others as required."

Mr O'Kane said: "The Scottish Government say they will leave no stone unturned when it comes to trying to save the site and that is welcomed but we must ensure that workers are supported no matter what.

"If Amazon does leave Gourock the workers cannot be left behind, they need government backed support to retrain and find secure employment and Inverclyde Council needs more support from Government to do this”

“It is scandalous that during a cost of living crisis Amazon have put the worry of unemployment at the door of their workers."