Workers at one of the biggest factories in south Essex have been put on a four-day production week.

The New Holland tractor plant in Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, reported a 7.9 per cent sales rise for the half year, but the Fiat-owned company says it is now being hit by a weak tractor market.

Production has been cut to four days per week in October.

Company spokesman Geoff Walsh today confirmed that the company had fallen short of it own targets. Measures to improve performance were in place and no redundancies were planned.

He said: "Obviously any time we are over budget we are not happy. The chairman and the union have proposed a solution the management have agreed to try.

"Everybody in the plant is interested in fixing this problem. There are measures in place, and this demonstrates the concerns all the members of the plant have in getting back on target.

"Everybody shares commitment in getting the plant back on track and back to the level of high performance that has characterised Basildon."

During October the plant is being run with four production lay-off days. Every Monday, affected employees will be given training or undertake alternative work.

Meanwhile, an absence control committee has been appointed to tackle a high level of absenteeism.

Too many sick days have contributed to poor performance, the company confirmed.

Workers have been warned that holiday requests may be refused because of the sickness situation.

Mr Walsh added: "It has always been our approach to manage to the maximum degree possible, through voluntary measures. Beyond this we hope and pray the market improves, but we are in the hands of the market."

No union spokesman was available for comment.

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