Fórsa has said that the high number of vacant positions in meat processing plants has now become a difficulty for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the producers and union members working in the plants.

Fórsa official Des Fagan said the acute shortages are arising from the near full employment market.

“Members believe that the fault lies in the low starting salary and the heavy industrial nature of the work as workers look for better pay and conditions elsewhere in the economy,” he said.

At their most recent meeting, the Branch Executive Committee discussed what measures can be taken to persuade the Department to put greater effort into the recruitment of staff in meat plants, to include better conditions including pay.

“They are supportive of efforts by the Meat Group members that will place the pressure back on the department as a solution is sought,” said Des.