Production at chocolate manufacturer Ferrero in Arlon is still at a standstill, after a salmonella infection that made people sick all over Europe.
A meeting was held on Friday between management and unions. “The management is currently working on a restart plan that it will have to submit to the FASFC (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain). If the plan is approved, the factory can reopen,” said Sylviane Arnould of the Christian union. “First, maintenance of the production lines will be necessary. We would like to know what that will look like and how many people will be needed. But it is still too early for that.”
As agreed ten days ago, factory employees will be paid their wages until May 8. Nothing is yet clear about what will happen next if production cannot be restarted, according to the union woman.
The situation is more precarious for the temporary workers, who cannot return to the factory without activity. According to Arnould, the management has offered about 60 of them a fixed-term contract. “The seasonal workers are indispensable when the factory restarts. So it is important to keep in touch with them, we have urged the management to do so.”
On May 2, trade unions and management will meet again. “The social dialogue is good within the company, so if important developments should occur in between, we will be kept informed,” said the CSC delegate.
A few weeks ago, salmonella was found in a number of Ferrero products, including Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs. The contamination came from the Arlon factory; the FASFC closed it at the beginning of April and launched a large-scale recall. The factory employs between 500 and 1,000 people, depending on the season.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.