EMERGENCY taskforce talks are to be held after 86 workers at a Port factory were told their jobs are on the line.

The Tele reported yesterday how the Playtex site in Devol could shut by the end of the year.

Labour’s general election candidate Iain McKenzie immediately called for a taskforce group to be set up, similar to the one which helped save Ferguson’s shipyard last year.

The idea is being backed by former Playtex employee and SNP election contender Ronnie Cowan, as well as local authority and Scottish Government key players.

Mr Cowan said: “I’m hugely disappointed to learn that there may be plans to close Playtex.

“I worked there for eight years, man and boy — it was a fabulous place where many a local received terrific training.

“It is a worrying time and we must ensure that the remaining employees get all the help and guidance that can be provided.” Local MSP Stuart McMillan meanwhile says he is seeking answers from the firm’s France-based parent company DB Apparel and its new American owners HanesBrands.

They took over the business in August and are planning a major shake-up of European operations, including the planned closure of the Port site.

Mr McMillan said: “I have written to the Scottish Government to ask that they intervene as a matter of urgency and ensure the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) team provide the necessary support to the workforce.

“I’ve also written to DB Apparel asking about the level of consultation and dialogue which took place with the workforce before the announcement. “I have asked what discussions they had with Scottish Government agencies and I am seeking clarification on the profitability of the site.” Council bosses are on red alert and today offered their full backing to the staff.

Aubrey Fawcett, corporate director of environment, regeneration and resources, said: “We have been in contact with the Scottish Government and are establishing senior level contact with DB Apparel with a view to confirming how this European-wide proposal will affect the workers in Port Glasgow.

“If there was a possibility of a business facing full or even partial closure, the national PACE arrangements would provide a range of employability and support mechanisms for employees affected.

“The first actions, however, are establishing the detail of how our local workforce could be affected and ensuring all of the relevant local and national partners are lined up and working closely with the council to support them through what will no doubt be a worrying time.” Local authority leader Stephen McCabe says every effort will be made to keep jobs safe.

He said: “These jobs are as important as the ones that were under threat at Ferguson’s last year and we must do all we can to support the workforce at this very difficult time.” A spokeswoman on behalf of DB Apparel stressed that a final decision has yet to be made about the factory.

She said: “These are just plans, nothing has been finalised. Nothing will be confirmed until the consultation has been completed.” The Scottish Government’s minister for business Fergus Ewing told the Telegraph: “I am very disappointed to learn of the proposed redundancies.

“This will be an anxious time for those affected and their families and it’s vital that we support those who may be facing uncertainty at the moment over their future job prospects.

“The Scottish Government is engaging with DB Apparel to offer support in any way we can.

“In the unfortunate event of any job losses, we will provide support to affected employees through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations – PACE – a taskforce comprising all support mechanisms including Scottish Enterprise, Business Gateway and others.

“Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE will aim to minimise the time any individuals affected by redundancy are out of work.”