|
Marine Harvest will be transfering 207 workers to its Tepual plant. Their wage conditions will remain the same. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)
Marine Harvest refutes further layoffs
CHILE
Friday, June 12, 2009, 22:20 (GMT + 9)
Salmon firm Marine Harvest announced it will centralise processing operations in its Tepual plant in an effort to “optimise the efficiency of its facilities and reduce processing costs.”
At the same time, company managers disavowed rumors that they would lay off 170 workers this Friday, as some union leaders claim.
“Of the more than 300 workers that carried out work in Chamiza plant, only 53 rejected relocating, whereas a small group will stay to carry out maintenance and security tasks and 207 workers will be transferred to the Tepual plant, under the same wage conditions,” the company affirmed.
It further added: “The strategy, to be finalised next 15 June, involves the transport of machines and equipment, as well as the transfer of a major group of workers from the Chamiza plant, and the staff of the evisceration line from the Caicaen plant.”
The president of the Marine Harvest union, Luis Vera, had declared that about 170 employees would be sent to the Tepual plant, and those who did not accept the offer would be “sent packing.”
In addition, the relocated workers would continue working “under another trade name, other benefits, but with other salaries,” he added. According to the union official, they were “offering a little more CLP 170,000 (USD 295), while the company’s base [salary] was CLP 302,000 (USD 525),” Terra Chile reports.
“I believe they are doing that to break apart the unions because we are two unions at the core of the company. So far, they have not officially notified us of anything, but it is already a done deal,” Vera contended.
Last week, salmon farming giant AquaChile SA dismissed 180 employees – including managers, office staff and operation workers – from their plant located in the Cardonal sector of Port Montt, Region of Los Lagos.
These personnel firings come on the heels of others made by the company in mid April, when it laid off 450 workers from its main processing plant.
At that time, AquaChile ejecutives explained theirs was a decision based on the dual impact of the salmon infectious anemia (ISA) virus, and the global credit squeeze.
Related articles:
- AquaChile lays off 180 plant workers from Port Montt
- Salmon firm boots 450 workers es
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
|
Print
