DOZENS of workers in the Wee County were told they are facing redundancy just before Christmas, according to a disgruntled employee.

With the market for Covid-19 tests shrinking, it is understood some 66 jobs are to be cut at LumiraDx's Tullibody site.

A worker at the site, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Advertiser how the diagnostics and health IT company recruited heavily during the pandemic to manufacture coronavirus testing kits, among other items.

They went on to say: “Now the pandemic is over, a lot of people feel that the company has cashed in, and now ready to cut their losses.

“The company are looking to cut 66 positions from the current headcount of 287 on the Tullibody site.”

While the pandemic is not over, the firm is understood to have seen a downturn in sales of its Covid testing kits.

Insiders say just under a quarter of the workforce were told on December 14 that their positions would be cut with 30 days' notice.

The worker added: “This is the second wave of redundancies from this company since September.

“People are obviously very worried about how they will cope with the cost of living crisis and Christmas and have been given about 30 days' notice.

“Obviously, finding a job within this time is hard enough, but over Christmas is nearly impossible.”

The claims were put to a LumiraDx spokesperson who told the Advertiser how the firm recently received regulatory approval for a number of new assays covering diabetes, respiratory, and cardiovascular issues which recently began rolling out commercially.

They said: “As we build out our testing portfolio, we are continuing to raise finances with investors, but external market conditions and the economic climate remain extremely unstable.

“The market for Covid-19 tests has been volatile and remains uncertain; however, our longer-term business strategy is to expand our testing capabilities well beyond Covid-19 testing and in the short term we are making some structural changes that will impact our cost structure and strengthen our ability to successfully deliver these products to customers.”

They went on to say the company sought to limit the impact of changes, but seeing a decline due to reduced testing globally is “unfortunately resulting in a number of redundancies”.

The spokesperson added: “We will be working closely with our employees and their representatives to ensure this process is handled appropriately and employees are supported.

“These changes are difficult, but along with structural realignment will ultimately position the company for future growth.

“We’ve previously made a commitment to be as transparent as possible with our employees.

“We felt it was important to share this news with them as soon as we realised changes would be essential, rather than wait until the new year.”

MSP Keith Brown said LumiraDx remains an important employer in the Wee County and he understands it is cutting 16 per cent of their employee base globally.

He added: “I will be very disappointed if the local impact is higher than that.

“I also want to know what they are doing to support those employees affected and ensure that they are engaging with support systems like PACE.”

Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government's initiative dedicated to helping individuals and employers with advice and support when faced with redundancy

Mr Brown added: “No doubt these job losses are to some extent a consequence of the very welcome easing of the pandemic, but I want to hear from Lumira that they have a plan in place that will ensure a stable ongoing presence in Tullibody for the foreseeable future."