A taskforce set up to support redundancy-threatened workers at the Mossmorran plant in Fife is to meet for the first time later today.
Owner ExxonMobil is to shut the Fife Ethylene Plant next month leaving over 400 jobs in jeopardy.
Nationalisation and direct UK government investment in the site were previously ruled out because ExxonMobil could not identify "a route to profitability" for the plant, which had been losing £1million a month.
The taskforce, led by Fife Council, was set up to help understand the needs of the workforce and community, with the Scottish government pledging £9million over three years to support those affected.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the BBC reports Deputy First Minister Kate 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."
She continued: "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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