OVER 260 workers have been forced out of work for at least a month with the Wallangarra Meatworks in hiatus.
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Owners of the plant, Thomas Foods International, closed the doors on Friday blaming a stock shortage for the snap decision.
Chief Executive Officer Darren Thomas said it was the first time the plant had shut since the family-owned organisation took ownership in 2010.
The company claims they have increased production by 30 to 40 per cent since their takeover, processing around 3750 units per day.
Mr Thomas said it was crucial people understood the closure was due to one thing only - a shortage of livestock.
“We stand by our reputation, if the stock isn't there, the stock isn't there but we believe that four weeks will be enough time to restock,” he said.
“At the end of the day if it means that we have to reduce our kill numbers to keep the plant open and keep people employed then that's what we'll do.
“We are already buying stock for when we reopen on Monday the 22nd June and a notice has gone to all agents informing them of the reopening date.”
The company chief also blamed a national lamb shortage and lingering drought concerns.
Two other Thomas Foods International plants at Murray Bridge and Lobethal in South Australia will also close for what Mr Thomas described as a “usual mid-year shut down”.
The agreement workers in the meat processing industry work under enables them to be stood down with just 24 hours' notice compensated by 10 per cent loading built into their pay.
Full-time employees are entitled annual leave pay while those on casual agreements would have received certificates from the company for presentation to Centrelink, granting them support for the four weeks without income Mr Thomas said.
The company wouldn’t comment on whether their international workers on 417 visas would be compensated or kept on.
They account for 40 per cent of the 260 employees according to Mr Thomas.
Thomas Foods International North Coast director Gary Burridge would only say that “I don’t see any issues” in terms of retaining international employees.