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February 2, 2012FURIOUS consumers have swatted Mortein and its mascot Louie the Fly in an online backlash after its parent company announced they would shut their Sydney factory and move offshore.
Mum and dad shoppers have bombarded the cartoon character's Facebook page to vent their fury at Reckitt Benckiser's decision to close its West Ryde plant and sack 200 employees.
Some have urged people to "unlike" the page, others posted links to rival brands, while one person urged shoppers to boycott the company's entire line.
As well as Mortein, Reckitt Benckiser produces Dettol, Harpic, Aerogard, Easy Off, Nurofen, Clearasil and Finish.
"We should all boycott their product lines and any shop that continues to stock them," one person wrote online yesterday.
"I just threw a full can of Mortein in the bin," another said.
Reckitt Benckiser has cited "commercial reasons" for the decision to close the plant.
It has indicated it will relocate production to sites in Europe, Asia, South Africa and North America.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary Tim Ayres said people were right to feel cheated.
He said he was now working with the employees to ensure they had the skills to find new jobs when the factory closed in July.
"I'm not surprised that people feel used. I'm not surprised there has been a backlash," he said.
"It's an important message to companies who want to lean on an iconic Australian brand."
The Louie the Fly Facebook page was set up by Reckitt Benckiser last year in a move that was considered a clever PR stunt.
The page was quietly launched by the company in a bid to "save Louie" after it announced they intended to kill off the character.
Yesterday CEO Lindsay Forrest released a statement announcing he had ended the campaign in the wake of the job cuts.
"We are part of the Australian community and the proposal towards job losses has been incredibly difficult and heartfelt," Mr Forrest said.
"Our commitment to provide the best support for those who may be leaving our employ is undiminished.
"We will also remain committed to the hundreds of other Australians in our company and the ongoing provision of high quality products and service across the country."
On the Louie the Fly Facebook page, the company posted last night: "Out of respect for the current situation I have been told that my campaign has ended."
