Staff Reporter
BEEFCOR Meat Suppliers is considering retrenching 393 employees at its Okahandja abattoir as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) restrictions continue to disrupt livestock slaughtering and beef exports.
The company notified employees last week that their positions could be affected as it faces reduced operations, lost export income and ongoing operating costs amid uncertainty over when restrictions and export market suspensions will be lifted.
The proposed retrenchments would affect workers across several departments, including slaughtering, deboning, offal processing, cleaning, packing, trimming and general operations.
Beefcor said the situation had forced it to consider reducing and restructuring its workforce to align with its current operations.
The company is expected to consult employees and their representatives, including the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union, before a final decision is made. A meeting with affected workers is expected on Friday.
The company said the sudden FMD outbreak and resulting suspension of slaughtering and exports had made it difficult to provide the usual four weeks’ notice before potential dismissals.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Beefcor
