Bindaree Beef’s expansion plans have been put on hold by unexpected government red tape, stopping skilled workers from the Philippines and Vietnam beginning work at the plant.
The abattoir started applications to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in June last year and since then only one worker from the Philippines has been able to begin work at the plant instead of the 40 workers planned to begin work by February this year.
Human Resources Manager Michael Bayes said the length of the application process has delayed plans for expansion.
“We need to get 20 skilled meatworkers at the plant before we can extend to six day a week production, we will be getting workers over in groups of about six at a time but the way things are going it will take a lot longer to step up production.”
Forty workers from the Philippines and 20 from Vietnam were assessed to be suitable for work by Bindaree Beef’s own assessor when no qualified workers could be found in Australia.
“We tried to source workers from around the area and then around Australia but no qualified people were willing to move here to work so we looked overseas.
“The good news is for every skilled meatworker we bring in, we need two support workers in packing and other roles so there will be even more jobs available for local people.”
Bindaree Beef has been liaising with the local council and TAFE to provide English lessons for the workers and has also approached other groups to help the workers assimilate into the community when they arrive.
“I think the arrival of the new workers from the Philippines and Vietnam is going to benefit the town in so many ways, hopefully we will be able to get their applications processed and here before winter.”
Bindaree Beef has plans to step up production at the Inverell abattoir to seven days per week to keep up with competitors who are already operating at this level.
“When we have our competitors operating at seven days a week and are able to access the extra cattle around at the moment it is frustrating how long the department has taken to get the people over here.”