Workers from struggling firm Bi-Fab march on Holyrood

Workers at crisis-hit company BiFab have marched on the Scottish Parliament, calling for their jobs to be safeguarded.

Trade union leaders at Unite organised the demonstration after it emerged the engineering firm Burntisland Fabrications Ltd is facing a critical cash position, and has filed a notice of its intention to appoint administrators.

BiFab, which makes equipment for both the oil and gas industry and the renewable energy sector, directly employs some 600 people at its yards in Burntisland and Methil in Fife and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis.

But Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown said when contractors and subcontractors were included, 1,400 jobs were linked to the firm's survival.

Mr Brown told MSPs on Tuesday that a "disputed payment'' was the source of the company's financial problems.

And while he accepted that is a matter for the two firms involved - BiFab and the Dutch-owned contractor, Seaway Heavy Lifting (SHL) - he said the Scottish Government would do everything in its power to help.

Speaking earlier this week, Mr Brown said: ''This is a contract between private companies and the issues that have arisen have been between those private companies.

''But of course, we are very interested and want to do what we can to help to try to achieve a solution.

"At root of course is the future of up to 600 people directly employed and 1,400 people in general including contractors and subcontractors."

Speaking at First Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Scottish Labour Interim Leader Jackie Baillie said: “The Scottish Government’s energy strategy prioritises renewables. This is an industry where more work is expected and BiFab could be at the forefront of delivering that infrastructure.

“It cannot be right that one of Scotland’s biggest sources of renewable jobs is facing administration while renewables are supposed to be a key priority for Scotland’s economy.

“That is one of the key reasons that the Scottish Government has a significant interest in BiFab, through Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

“Workers need a cast iron guarantee which will allow them to continue to work and prepare for future renewables work. The Scottish Government should commit to providing financial support so that the company can remain operational and the jobs are secured and the work remains in Scotland."

STUC General Secretary, Grahame Smith, said: “It is beyond belief that the jobs and livelihoods of 1,400 BiFab workers and the future of the yards where they work, are under threat because of a contractual dispute between the company and its customer Dutch contractor SHL.

"There is no doubt that there is a viable future for BiFab's current yards. There is a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, currently working without pay to complete current orders, and the prospect of future orders from offshore wind developments and oil and gas platform decommissioning.

"SSE, as the leading partner in the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project and SHL, its subcontractor, urgently need to do what is necessary to sort this dispute, to ensure the workforce is paid, their jobs saved and a future secured for the BiFab yards."