The 1,000 workers who have been self-isolating since 2 Sisters closed its poultry processing plant at Coupar Angus will receive full pay, the company has confirmed. Over 100 staff have now tested positive for COVID-19, but all workers and their families have been asked to stay at home including keeping children off school for a fortnight.
A spokesman for the Coupar Angus site said: “2 Sisters can confirm all colleagues will receive full pay for the period the factory has been closed. We recognise these are unprecedented circumstances which have adversely affected our business and the local community.
“Our company is very aware that the strict self-isolation rules imposed means some households may experience hardship, and we want to do all we can to minimise this.
“The business is keen to support the local NHS teams and their call for whole household self-isolation, and this decision will help to reassure colleagues and hopefully drive further compliance.”
The union Unite Scotland said there had been constructive talks with the company and welcomed the move by 2 Sisters.
On 24 August the Scottish Government confirmed that the number of positive COVID-19 cases linked to the food processing plant has risen to 152. A total of 134 employees at the 2 Sisters factory have tested positive, plus 18 of their contacts, an increase of 42 from Sunday.
Susan Robertson, Unite regional officer, said: “Unite welcomes the decision by 2 Sisters to agree that all workers receive full pay during the self-isolation period. The workforce should not suffer any financial detriment bearing in mind their family members have had to self-isolate as well. It’s an imperative that this factory opens as soon as possible to ensure its long-term sustainability and Unite will work with 2 Sisters to ensure that the workplace is safe for when the workers return.”