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Ford: 'We've fulfilled our duties to Visteon workers'

MPs debate car manufacturer Ford's moral duty to former Visteon workers who lost their pensions when their employer went into administration.

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Ford: We've fulfilled our duties to ex-Visteon employees

Ford has had an on-going, voluntary dialogue with MPs and on two occasions has briefed UK politicians on its position regarding Visteon pensions. Both meetings addressed matters that have been raised by MPs on behalf of their constituents.

A legal claim connected with the Visteon pensions’ issue was filed against Ford in January 2011 and a court date has been set to hear the case. The legal process limits the level of engagement that is possible on this issue but Ford has responded to letters both from MPs and from Welsh Assembly Members.

Ford’s position on this issue has remained unchanged. While Ford recognises the severity of the situation for former Visteon UK employees, Visteon became an independent company in 2000 and was responsible for its own business decisions.

Ford has fulfilled both its legal and moral responsibilities to former Visteon employees.

– Ford Motor Company Ltd

Read more: Car workers' pensions campaign

MPs to debate Visteon workers' pensions campaign

Former Visteon workers protesting in 2009 Credit: PA

MPs will hold a debate later today over car manufacturer Ford's moral duty to former Visteon workers who lost their pensions when their employer went into administration.

Visteon UK went into administration in 2009 with 3,000 workers losing their jobs. The majority of workers transferred to Visteon from Ford and were promised their terms and conditions would be protected.

Following a long campaign and several sit-ins, a fair redundancy settlement was reached, but the workers lost 45% of their pension entitlement.

Large numbers of pensioners from the four ex Ford / Visteon sites in Swansea, Belfast, Basildon and Enfield will attend the debate.

Unite national officer Roger Maddison said:

'Ford has a legal and moral obligation to the thousands of ex-employees who paid into its pension scheme all their working lives. We believe the government should be putting pressure on Ford to pay up.'

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