Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle is writing to First Minister John Swinney urging help for the Western Isles following confirmation from Bakkafrost Scotland that they are planning to make 74 people redundant at their salmon processing facilities at Arnish and Marybank on the Isle of Lewis.
Mr Eagle said: “Lewis can ill afford to lose so many jobs, and I can only sympathise with the people affected and their families, many of whom must be wondering what the future holds for them.
“It’s been very sad to witness the way this has developed and I know that this outcome could have serious implications for the wider community.
“I am writing to John Swinney to emphasise the importance of the Scottish Government providing practical help to people in the Western Isles, and especially doing everything it possibly can to promote employment opportunities.
“We already face a very significant challenge with rural depopulation here and it is especially worrying that this is affecting such an important local industry.
“I really hope that we will see effective action from the First Minister and that he gets behind measures to support people here in Lewis.”