Pioneer Foods to retrench more than 1 000

MOREthan 1 000 workers are facing retrenchment at Pioneer Foods as the company looks to cut back about 10percent of its staff at its Paarl headquarters.

Pioneer Foods – holding company to Sasko, Bokomo Foods and Quantum Foods – told the Cape Argus that about 1 300 of the 12 365 employees could be without jobs when the group wields the axe on “surplus” workers.

Newly-appointed chief executive, Phil Roux, said this was in line with the company’s new strategy of adapting to a policy of streamlining.

”The notice of the company’s proposal of restructuring and consequent operating point consultations with employees, representatives, and unions commenced in June 2013,” said Roux.

“Pioneer Foods is bringing about transformational changes to its business model, with consequent consolidation of business units and balancing of resources,” said Roux.

“Where possible, employees will be offered early retirement or redeployment in vacant positions. Where there is no alternative to retrenchments employees will be paid a retrenchment package in compliance with the Labour Relations Act.”

Dale Fobian, Pioneer Foods’ spokesman, said: “The responsibility to achieve the said objectives is in the hands of the newly appointed chief executive, Roux.