Coronavirus Victoria: Meatworks staff to increase numbers this week
Abattoir workforce numbers may return to up to 90 per cent capacity as soon as this week. But some are warning it may be too late to secure enough workers.
VICTORIAN meatworks could be allowed to ramp up staff numbers as soon as this week, as pressure mounts to ready the supply chain for the spring flush.
Industry sources say abattoir workforce numbers may return to up to 90 per cent capacity, to lock in higher throughput as lamb season begins.
But some are warning it may already be too late to secure extra workers, amid reports casual and migrant abattoir workers who were stood down have already moved on to other work.
The state’s chicken and meat processors were forced to cut their workforces by a third under tough restrictions introduced almost two months ago by the Victorian Government to stem the coronavirus pandemic.
At the peak of the second wave, 14 processors in Victoria had been hit with coronavirus outbreaks since July, with more than 800 cases linked to the sites. Currently, there is only one known active case linked to a processor, the Australian Meat Group in Dandenong.
While the workforce cuts have had little impact on supply so far, industry is warning restrictions need to be lifted now to ensure demand can be met as the spring flush of lambs make their way through saleyards, and as Christmas draws closer.
While restrictions have eased in regional Victoria, abattoirs are still operating under the same rules. The State Government said meat and seafood processing would remain heavily restricted until November 23, according to the current road map.
However it’s understood the cap of workforce capacity could be lifted to as high as 90 per cent for regional meatworks; metropolitan meat processors could be between 85-90 per cent.
Meetings between industry and the Victorian Government have been ongoing throughout the current restrictions.
“We know the challenges these restrictions may present, particularly at this time of year, and the importance of letting industry know these details as soon as possible,” a Government spokeswoman said.
Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the risk rating of each individual plant needed to be considered, adding the supply chain would be put under stress if changes weren’t made soon.
“A small hiccup will have production implications down the track,” he said.
“We’re hoping there’s going to be some positive announcements on the back of this later this week.”
Midfield Meats spokesman Dean McKenna said it was “critical” changes were made.
“If they leave it much longer, they may as well leave the restrictions on, because it will be too late,” Mr McKenna said.
However, he said there was already a trend of migrant workers leaving to look for new work, prompting concern there may not be enough workers to fill vacancies.
“There are at least three other processors I know of that when restrictions lift, will be in desperate need of workers and they don’t know where they’re going to get them from,” Mr McKenna said.
Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said lifting the cap on workers was overdue, and must be implemented immediately.
“With just one active case in our state’s abattoirs, there’s no reason for Daniel Andrews to delay safe increases to allow workers back in the workplace to fix problems holding back the food supply chain,” Mr Walsh said.
“It’s in processors’ best interests to have comprehensive COVID safe plans so we don’t see harsh shutdowns return.”