DOZENS of workers at Sheppey’s biggest employer face an uncertain future after the company announced it would be reducing its operations.

Staff at Abbott Laboratories in North Road, Queenborough, were called to a meeting on Wednesday last week to hear the outcome of a review of the global pharmaceutical company’s manufacturing operations.

Rumours of a possible closure have been rife on the Island for months.

Abbott Laboratories set up the Queenborough plant in 1962 and it currently employs more than 750 workers.

To ensure company-wide efficiency and future growth, bosses have decided to reduce chemical operations at Queenborough during 2008.

A spokesman for the company said it was impossible to say how many workers would be affected because of plans to minimise the impact through re-training, unfilled vacancies, voluntary redundancies and early retirement.

She said: “The chemical section is a very important section, but not the biggest part of the manufacturing plant.

“Abbott Queenborough will remain a major facility for the company in the foreseeable future.”

Reasons for the reduction at Queenborough include the fact that many of the chemical products manufactured there are nearing the end of their life cycle and are declining in demand, patent expiry on some products has led to generic manufacturing, further reducing demand and increased cost competition from other manufacturers.

Sheppey’s MP Derek Wyatt said: “I have written to the chief executive of Abbott’s to see if there was any scope to create a science park on their site. I did this three weeks ago.

“Workers will receive very generous redundancy packages and three years notice; those made redundant will find new jobs in that time.

“The Government will assist with training packages if needed.”