Covid-19: Agropur to temporarily lay off employees in Canada

Canadian dairy cooperative Agropur is planning to lay off some of its employees temporarily, as well as remove certain positions amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in the country.

The company noted that it will lay off employees unassigned to essential operational duties.

Agropur CEO Émile Cordeau said: “These are difficult decisions to make but they are necessary in order to maintain the sustainability of our business.

“Our goal is to bring the temporarily laid-off employees back to work as soon as we can resume the normal course of business.

“A support team has been set up to help the employees who will be leaving the organisation transition and guide them through the process of applying for the government support programs.”

The removal of roles and temporary laying off of employees is part of the company’s operational review process.

Agropur’s move is expected to affect 260 employees in Canada, of which 60 positions are being eliminated and 200 employees temporarily laid off.

The company added that it quickly incorporated safety and precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of its employees, as well as focused on the business continuity plan to guarantee the supply of its dairy products to its consumers during the outbreak.

Last October, Agropur announced plans to close its ice cream and frozen novelties plant in Lachute, Quebec.

Agropur noted that the move was part of the company’s strategy to optimise its ice cream manufacturing operations. Production from this facility had been moved to its other facilities.