2 SISTERS FOOD GROUP has pledged £1m to support its “most vulnerable colleagues” financially through the coronavirus pandemic.
The fund is designed to help staff who are struggling financially, with a package of measures including non-repayable welfare grants, additional leave and expert support.
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The integrator said that coronavirus was likely to continue to be an issue for “many months to come”.
It had therefore confirmed new measures to help staff, to include:
- Non-repayable welfare payments
- Additional leave (paid or unpaid) for those who need extra time to sort out financial difficulties
- External and internal support from experts to help manage finances and budget issues
In mid-June, 2 Sisters closed its Llangefni processing plant after a surge in positive covid-19 cases.
Public Health Wales has said 200 of 560 staff members had tested positive for the virus.
The firm is paying staff at the site in full while it deep cleans and adapts the premises to make any further spread less likely when it reopens.
Extra help
Ronald Kers, 2 Sisters Food Group chief executive, said: “We are proud of our role in helping feed the nation and the huge importance of the thousands of our colleagues across the UK who play a vital role.
“We do recognize that especially during tough times, our colleagues’ lives can be turned upside down by job losses in their household, by bereavement or long-term illness.
“Quite often things on the surface may seem OK, but in fact there can be hidden hardship, and it can happen for many reasons.
“This is why we’re reaching out to colleagues who may need that extra help right now.
We are launching today a £1m welfare fund and further support package, to help our colleagues, where we can.”
