The announcement of two hundred job losses at BP Solar in Olympic Park in Sydney has shocked the workers and sparked criticism of short sightedness.

New South Wales AMWU Secretary Paul Bastian said the job losses were a tragedy that didn’t make sense.

“This is a devastating blow for the development of a renewable energy sector in Australia,” he said.

Production of solar photvoltaic (PV) power cells and panels from the manufacturing plant in Sydney Olympic Park will cease in March 2009.

“We have a real opportunity to become an international leader in alternative energy research and manufacturing and should be expanding our capacity in this field,” said Mr Bastian.

Mr Bastian said the federal government needs to come to grips with the issues around alternative energy by providing funding linked to innovation, renewable technologies and green manufacturing jobs.

“Dealing with the challenge of dangerous climate change comes with a responsibility to make sure that Australia is a leader in manufacturing and innovation for renewable energy and low emission technology and this requires leadership from the Rudd Government.

“This is not only good for the environment, its also the key to long term sustainable jobs for Australian workers and their families.”

The union has called on the company and the Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, for an urgent meeting to see if today’s announcement can be reversed by government action.