8/9/05
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance today announced a State Government assistance package for workers displaced by the restructuring of E G Green and Sons.
Mr Chance said the package consisted of two components - a grant of up to $1.55million to assist workers to retrain and/or relocate to new employment, and a $1.8million short-term loan to the administrator of E G Green and Sons to enable the early payment of worker entitlements.
“The assistance package will ensure the workers receive their redundancy entitlements in a timely way and provide additional financial security and support as they seek new employment opportunities,” he said.
“Without the $1.8million loan, workers would have had to wait up to three months before legal entitlements such as accrued holiday pay could be paid from company cash flow.”
The Minister said the loan was conditional on adequate security arrangements being agreed to with the administrator.
Final details of the training and relocation grant of up to $1.55million would be determined after further discussions with the workers, the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union and the Shire of Harvey.
“E G Green and Sons is clearly the dominant employer in Harvey and the loss of approximately 50 per cent of its workforce, most of whom live in the Harvey region and surrounding areas, will have a significant impact on local business activity,” Mr Chance said.
“This assistance package will help lessen the downturn in commercial activity in the town and immediate region.
“This commitment demonstrates the Gallop Government’s support for Western Australia’s regional communities.”
Minister's Office - 9213 6700
