Job losses at Canpac show the dangers of relying on milk powder to China

Today’s announcement from Fonterra that up to 110 jobs will be cut at its Canpac facility in the Waikato shows the dangers of relying on dairy exports to China to sustain our economy, says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union.

The announcement follows a downturn in business over the last five years.

“It is abundantly clear that New Zealand needs a national strategy for skills, jobs, and a strong manufacturing sector which isn’t reliant on the price of commodities like milk powder,” says Bill Newson, EPMU national secretary.

“It’s not good enough for the government to sit on its hands and talk about a ‘rock-star economy’ while our regions continue to suffer and well-paid, skilled jobs are vanishing.”

While EPMU members are entitled to redundancy compensation as part of their collective agreement, the union will be working closely with Fonterra to ensure any job losses are minimised.

The EPMU represents over 600 workers at Fonterra and its subsidiaries.

ENDS

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