Covid-19: Fazer Confectionery plans to temporarily lay-off 398 workers

Finnish company Fazer Confectionery is preparing to enter negotiations to temporarily lay off 398 employees at its Vantaa factory.

The move is related to the crisis created by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

According to the company, the outbreak has influenced the consumers’ purchasing pattern.

It noted that the sales of chocolate tablets have increased whereas the sales of its speciality products such as pralines have gone down due to current disruption in the travel retail sector.

Fazer said that the current situation may weaken its ability temporarily to provide employment.

It further added that a potential temporary lay-off option will help secure the company’s operations and maintain financial stability.

The temporary lay-offs are planned for a maximum of 90 days per employee during the current year.

The company intends to begin collaboration negotiations by 4 May and complete them within a period of five days.

Fazer Confectionery managing director Nathalie Ahlström said: “To minimise the impact of the potential lay-offs on our employees, we are offering the possibility to use annual leaves and other paid leaves.

“We will support our employees in this exceptional situation and try to find the best possible solution for them.”

At the beginning of this month, Fazer Group announced a temporary lay-off of employees working at its shop-in-shop bakeries’ employees due to the disruption created by the pandemic.