Cadbury staff in fresh protest at Kraft takeover bid

[dutchman]

Cadbury workers have staged a protest outside the firm's Bournville factory as part of a campaign to safeguard jobs in the wake of a takeover bid.

Protesters gathered outside the factory in Bournville

Cadbury's board of directors accepted an £11.5bn offer from the US giant Kraft Foods on 19 January.

Shareholders have until 2 February to accept or reject it, but unions have warned the deal could lead to job cuts.

Labour MP Lynne Jones asked Parliament on Tuesday how Gordon Brown planned to honour his commitment to help staff.

During an adjournment debate on Tuesday, the Birmingham Selly Oak MP said: "I would like to finish by asking... exactly what the prime minister meant when he said the government would do 'everything it can to make sure that jobs and investment are maintained in Britain'.

"How will this commitment be delivered?"

Company 'carve-up'

Business Minister Ian Lucas told her that ministers do not have the power to intervene in the takeover but would do "all they could" to protect jobs.

Mr Brown made the pledge in the Commons on 20 January, saying that the government was "determined" to ensure Cadbury jobs were secured.

The company employs about 4,500 staff in the UK and has plants at Bournville in Birmingham, Marlbrook in Herefordshire, Chirk in north-east Wales and Keynsham in Somerset.

Announcing the protest, Unite union officer Jennie Formby said: "Our members and their friends across the Midlands deserve a voice in this takeover.

"They are angry that they have been forced to look on from the sidelines as the big money players carve up their company."