Nestlé to boost pay for Canadian workers

Nestlé SA, the world’s biggest food company, said it would pay full salaries to employees affected by work stoppages for a minimum of three months, to protect them from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Swiss company also said it would temporarily raise wages by US$ 3 per hour for on-duty factory and distribution centre workers in Canada, retroactive to March 16, 2020.

Additionally, it would pay bonuses to employees of its Canadian factories who cannot work from home, and salaries for up to eight weeks to those in retail operations, which have been temporarily closed, Nestlé Canada said in a statement.

Globally, part- time and salaried employees hurt by any temporary shortages caused by coronavirus would be paid in full for a period of three months, said the company, which has 291,000 employees across the world.

The Kit-kat chocolate and Nescafé maker also said it would provide cash advances or loans to those in financial difficulties, and that it had put in place generous sick leave for employees who may have contracted the virus.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a global problem and consequently we are offering help on the ground everywhere,” Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider said in a statement. On Monday, Schneider sent a memo to employees asking them to prepare for a “storm” that will hit its business. “Please get ready for the storm to hit — because hit it will,” Schneider said.

On Thursday, the Nestlé said it was working to ensure supplies were maintained and assured customers it would be able to deliver products to meet the global demand for food, as people stay at home for an extended period of time.