Bernard Matthews freezes pay, jobs loss, potential sale of plants and new deal with Bank.
Bank deal
Newspaper report
Monday 25 June 2007
Thursday 14 June 2007
SLAVE LABOUR IN EUROPE
See the report of cases of Portuguese workers
Listen to the witnesses statements of cases in Holland, Ireland, Belgium
Listen to the witnesses statements of cases in Holland, Ireland, Belgium
Tuesday 12 June 2007
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
"The United Nations reports that human trafficking is now the third largest moneymaker for criminals, after drugs and weapons. No one is sure how many people were enslaved 50 years ago, but the number is thought to have grown rapidly with the population explosion to an estimated 27 million today. The increase in slavery is also linked to globalisation. But this is not about sweatshop workers existing on miserly wages. Slaves are under the complete, violent control of another person; they are economically exploited, and get only enough food and shelter to keep them alive. For millions of victims, their experience differs little in hardship from that of slaves hundreds of years ago". Read it in the FT
SLAVERY EXISTS IN THE UK TODAY
"Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to slavery and exploitation". Read the Joseph Rowtree Foundation Report
"Today, most immigrant workers in industrialised countries are employed in the three 'D' jobs - those that are dirty, dangerous or degrading. They are not, in the main, competing with local labour". Says the INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE, GARMENT AND LEATHER WORKERS’ FEDERATION
Wednesday 6 June 2007
Friday 1 June 2007
11 WORKERS IN ONE ROOM
Eleven migrant workers forced to live in this room. Report Experiences to the TUC
Profites from Slavery in the past. Watch the BBC video
Watch the BBC Video Legal situation? watch the video
Read the BBC
UNEQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN
Question to the European Commission
Migrant Women. Watch the UN video and read the Report
Read the BBC for Women's invisible face of migration
Migrant Women. Watch the UN video and read the Report
Read the BBC for Women's invisible face of migration
Wednesday 30 May 2007
GENERAL STRIKE - GREVE GERAL - TO PROTECT WORKING CONDITIONS
... in Portugal. Watch the first and the second part of the news.
Watch the video preparing the strike and listen to the interviews
Watch the video preparing the strike and listen to the interviews
Tuesday 29 May 2007
REPORT YOUR EXPERIENCES
To the Trade Union Congress and the TUC's Commission On Vulnerable employment
Wednesday 23 May 2007
FACTORY CONDITIONS AT PRATTS BANANAS
Listen to the BBC report of polish women that lost a baby under pressure on the shop floor and read the article.
Wednesday 16 May 2007
Friday 11 May 2007
DEFRA APPLIES FOR E.U. FUNDING
Defra confirmed this week that it had made a claim to the EU veterinary fund for the compensation paid to the company and the operating costs of tackling the outbreak.
Thursday 3 May 2007
PORTUGUESE EMIGRATION
Emigration of Portuguese: "not only did the Estado Novo (New State) control the migratory flows that were occurring, but that it used emigration to its own advantage" claims research from the University of Coimbra
MORE JOB CUTS AT BERNARD MATTHEWS
Up to 60 workers at Bernard Matthews are facing being laid off in the wake of the recent bird flu outbreak. Reports the BBC
and the local newspaper and the Norwich news
and the local newspaper and the Norwich news
Wednesday 2 May 2007
Tuesday 1 May 2007
Friday 27 April 2007
Thursday 26 April 2007
Wednesday 25 April 2007
Friday 13 April 2007
AT BERNARD MATTHEWS
A spokesman for the firm said: "Bernard Matthews is dedicated to doing everything possible to restore consumer confidence further and re-engage all laid-off employees as quickly as possible."
What is said to be likely to happen?
What is said to be likely to happen?
Thursday 12 April 2007
MIGRANT WORKERS BUILDING THE ENGLISH ECONOMY
"workers are still frightened to come forward to report poor treatment from employers, as they are afraid of losing their jobs."
"We lived six to eight people in one caravan, with not much space - about half a metre at the end of the bed"
"People would walk through our room to get to the shower, so my friend and I had to push the wardrobe up to the bed to get some privacy,"
"Some even have to hotbed - this is where one worker gets up for a shift and the bed is then occupied by a co-worker who has finished a shift."
"I was known by a number and not my name, as we all were.
"We had to put a sticker with our number on all the trays we packed and that is what the supervisors would call us ... I was known as 137."
"We weren't allowed to talk to each other either. Eating was also a problem, there was no refrigerator and we only had one or two toilets for 100 workers."
Reports the BBC
"We lived six to eight people in one caravan, with not much space - about half a metre at the end of the bed"
"People would walk through our room to get to the shower, so my friend and I had to push the wardrobe up to the bed to get some privacy,"
"Some even have to hotbed - this is where one worker gets up for a shift and the bed is then occupied by a co-worker who has finished a shift."
"I was known by a number and not my name, as we all were.
"We had to put a sticker with our number on all the trays we packed and that is what the supervisors would call us ... I was known as 137."
"We weren't allowed to talk to each other either. Eating was also a problem, there was no refrigerator and we only had one or two toilets for 100 workers."
Reports the BBC
PORTUGUESE WORKERS IN ENGLAND
270 workers laid off
-32 return
-22 leave
=
216 in lay off, reports the BBC
Bernard Matthews goes organic.
-32 return
-22 leave
=
216 in lay off, reports the BBC
Bernard Matthews goes organic.
Thursday 5 April 2007
LIVING IN ENGLAND
Individual Stories from the Project supported by
Birmingham City Archives (BCA)
Black Cultural Archives (BCA)
Bradford Heritage Unit (BHU)
British Library (BL)
Croydon Museum & Heritage Service (CMHS)
Hackney Museum (HM)
Haringey Museum and Archive Service, Bruce Castle Museum (HMA)
Hull City Archives (HCA)
Imperial War Museum (IWM)
Jewish Museum, London (JML)
Lancashire Record Office (LARO)
Leeds Museums & Galleries (LMG)
Liverpool Record Office (LRO)
London Metropolitan Archiv
Birmingham City Archives (BCA)
Black Cultural Archives (BCA)
Bradford Heritage Unit (BHU)
British Library (BL)
Croydon Museum & Heritage Service (CMHS)
Hackney Museum (HM)
Haringey Museum and Archive Service, Bruce Castle Museum (HMA)
Hull City Archives (HCA)
Imperial War Museum (IWM)
Jewish Museum, London (JML)
Lancashire Record Office (LARO)
Leeds Museums & Galleries (LMG)
Liverpool Record Office (LRO)
London Metropolitan Archiv
BENEFITS FOR THE UK ECONOMY
"Migrant workers contribute about £360m a year in tax revenue in the East of England alone". DEFRA
WORKING CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND
"Alex took me to see Mario, who’s 59. He came to Britain with his partner, Yokina, five years ago and has worked for a number of agencies since. Showing me a typical payslip Mario said he
was baffled by a £20 deduction under the heading “advance” and another unexplained debit of £44.75. They helped cut his pay from £400 to little more than £160. But Mario’s problems really began when both he and Yokina fell ill and couldn’t work, so they couldn’t pay their
rent and their agency wasn’t pleased.
He contacted the agency and we explained what was going on, and they said, “well if you’re both sick you have to leave, there’s no more work for you and you have to leave your
accommodation tomorrow.” A few days later three men came, a van driver which we know from the agency because he used to drive us to work and two more men that we’ve never seen them before, they were very big and very threatening and they told me you have to leave this
house immediately.
BBC
WORKING CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND
"It’s difficult work. You have to keep up with machinery, although you’re just human, because there’s a certain target the factory wants to achieve and they don’t care if you’re tired, or if you’ve been working too much. They just want to achieve that target in production. You go home, you’re tired, there’s a lot of people in the house, you don’t have a lot of comfort. So you sleep, you get out of bed at 4 o’clock in the morning you go back to work
In return Alex was paid around £4.70 an hour, only just above the minimum wage, but that was before a host of deductions made by his agency. They sometimes left him with as little as £30 a week in his pocket. Deductions like the cost of transport to and from work, despite Alex says being told in Portugal this was already paid for. The agency also took £50 a week for accommodation, a small room which Alex had to share with two others. But when he found somewhere better to live, Alex says his agency refused to give him any more work". BBC
In return Alex was paid around £4.70 an hour, only just above the minimum wage, but that was before a host of deductions made by his agency. They sometimes left him with as little as £30 a week in his pocket. Deductions like the cost of transport to and from work, despite Alex says being told in Portugal this was already paid for. The agency also took £50 a week for accommodation, a small room which Alex had to share with two others. But when he found somewhere better to live, Alex says his agency refused to give him any more work". BBC
Sebastião Salgado
BERNARD MATTHEWS BUSINESS STRATEGY
"Bernard Matthews plans to overhaul its product and packaging range, adjusting its product portfolio to align itself with the health mega-trend, currently the most important consumer trend. The company hopes the overhaul of its products, to include less salt, and fat and more premium deli style offerings, will counteract the adverse effects of the recent negative publicity surrounding the company." Food Business Review Online
INVESTIGATION INTO BERNARD MATTHEWS
The Food Standards Agency found no evidence. DEFRA will report in the next few weeks. In the Guardian
Wednesday 4 April 2007
MIGRANT WORK IN THE UK
"PricewaterhouseCoopers enters a vigorous debate about whether immigration has a positive impact on the UK economy." In the Guardian Read PWC's report
WORKING IN THE UK
The TUC report on Agency workers produced as a response to the Department of Trade and Industry's consultation into agency workers’ rights, (20 February – 31 May 2007)
WORKERS' RIGHTS IN THE MEAT AND POULTRY INDUSTRY
"But workers [in the meat and poultry industry] ... contend with conditions, vulnerabilities, and abuses which violate human rights."Blood, Sweat, and Fear. The Human Rights Watch Report and recent legislation
CASE STUDIES. Photos available at Human Rights Watch. More cases here and report on working conditions here
"Working conditions in U.S. meat and poultry plants should trouble the conscience of every American who eats beef, pork or chicken." Says the Washington Post
See the submission to Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Committee on Migrant Workers here
Tuesday 3 April 2007
I THINK WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW ...
It is not the first time it happens.
I see this as an ongoing argument. Listen to T. Benn
I see this as an ongoing argument. Listen to T. Benn
WORKING IN ITALY
"The migrants who work on Europe's fruit and olive harvests live on meagre wages, forced to survive in conditions that would fail to meet the UN's basic standards for refugee camps. Photographs by Christian Sinibaldi.
Read Felicity Lawrence's report from southern Italy on the dark side of the Christmas orange harvest.
Read Felicity Lawrence's report from southern Italy on the dark side of the Christmas orange harvest.
EXPRESSO ON WORKERS AT BERNARD MATTHEWS
The translator of the Portuguese workers in layoff in England. See and listen here
"Não tenho dinheiro para regressar a Portugal!" Read here
Working at Bernard Matthews. See images here
Waiting for the future. Listen and see here
"Não tenho dinheiro para regressar a Portugal!" Read here
Working at Bernard Matthews. See images here
Waiting for the future. Listen and see here
T&G MAKES HARDSHIP PAYMENTS TO WORKERS AT BERNARD MATTHEWS
There remain around 300 workers who have been laid off at Bernard Matthews.
INFORMATION IN PORTUGUESE
Direitos Laborais no Reino Unido
Informação do Departamento de Comércio e Indústria Britânico
Escolas em Herfordshire
Impostos
Ciencia nas Escolas
Informação do Departamento de Comércio e Indústria Britânico
Escolas em Herfordshire
Impostos
Ciencia nas Escolas
CONTACT
PORTUGUESE WORKERS’ PROJECT
TELEPHONE
0207 467 1256 (Leave Message)
EMAIL
ctp@tuc.org.uk
ADDRESS
Portuguese Workers Project
Trades Union Congress
Congress House
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3LS
TELEPHONE
0207 467 1256 (Leave Message)
ctp@tuc.org.uk
ADDRESS
Portuguese Workers Project
Trades Union Congress
Congress House
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3LS
UNION'S £200 TURKEY WORKER LIFELINE
Lattest financial measure to help workers laid off at Bernard Matthews
BERNARD MATTHEWS ESCAPES PROSECUTION
Bernard Matthews escapes legal action. Financial Times
BM will not face prosecution despite highly critical reports by inspectors on food safety lapses at the plant. The Telegraph
What is the situation with workers' health?
"... if the media said anything it would be in English and many people would not understrand." "Vêm cá todos porque a comunicação social inglesa não diz nada sobre os portugueses e mesmo que dissesse era em inglês e muita gente não entende. Por isso temos de ver a televisão portuguesa para entender melhor "
BM will not face prosecution despite highly critical reports by inspectors on food safety lapses at the plant. The Telegraph
What is the situation with workers' health?
"... if the media said anything it would be in English and many people would not understrand." "Vêm cá todos porque a comunicação social inglesa não diz nada sobre os portugueses e mesmo que dissesse era em inglês e muita gente não entende. Por isso temos de ver a televisão portuguesa para entender melhor "
Friday 30 March 2007
DEBATE ON COMPENSATION FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY
What is being debated?
Follow the debate here, in Parliament, with government and here and in a farmer's blog
There was a call for compensation of workers at Bernard Matthews. Is it being discussed?
Follow the debate here, in Parliament, with government and here and in a farmer's blog
There was a call for compensation of workers at Bernard Matthews. Is it being discussed?
BERNARD MATTHEWS REVEALS NEW BBQ DINING RANGE
Bernard Matthews Food Service has revealed a host of ideas for barbecues, including new turkey breast steaks, turkey medallions and, for kebabs, diced turkey breast from the company’s ingredients range. In meatinfo.co.uk
Wednesday 28 March 2007
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE WORKERS AT BERNARD MATTHEWS?
Staff are entitled to make a claim for redundancy four weeks after being laid off, but few have done so as most have been with the company for less than two years and will receive no redundancy payments. Reports the local paper
BERNARD MATTHEWS LAYS OFF YET MORE WORKERS
A further 35 workers are due to be laid off . Reports the BBC
This brings the total number of staff laid off to 270. In meatinfo.co.uk
This brings the total number of staff laid off to 270. In meatinfo.co.uk
Tuesday 27 March 2007
TRADE UNION BRITISH-PORTUGUESE COOPERATION
Union organisation and representation is also vital – at a pan-European level. Cross-border co-operation isn’t wholly new (many unions operatein Britain and Ireland, for example) but it is becoming more common. This year, shipping officers’ union Numast began to merge with its Dutch equivalent to form Nautilus. The TUC has a long-standing agreement with the CGTP-IN in Portugal to represent Portuguese workers in Britain, renewed in April this year. Says Owen Tudor International Secretary, TUC
TUC COOPERATION WITH PORTUGUESE WORKER'S ASSOCIATION
Supporting trade union organisation in the underbelly of the British economy, if need be in innovative forms, is an essential weapon in the struggle against trafficking. The TUC's cooperation in Britain with the Portuguese Workers' Association and Federation of Poles in Britain and the bilateral agreements with their respective national trade unions have demonstrated that such approaches can yield real benefits for workers, not just in promoting their organisation in British trade unions while they are working in Britain, but also warning them in their home countries of the recruitment activities of unscrupulous labour suppliers there. Such trade union activity is resource intensive and Government support for the development of similar approaches with trade union organisations in other sending countries would be welcomed. TUC evidence to Parliament
PORTUGUESE WORKERS: STATS UK
More than 20000 Portuguese workers are employed in agriculture, cleaning and the hospitality industry
PORTUGUESE WORKING IN SHEFFIELD
It is a well known fact that workers from many parts of Europe, particularly Portugal, and we have had many Portuguese workers over here who are exploited right to the hilt. Many of them are not prepared to tell us of the terms and conditions that have been imposed upon them until they have fallen foul of their employers over here. And then in a moment of pique they reveal everything that has been happening, the kind of earnings that they have been getting, and the fact that in terms of what they were paid to work in this Country they were seriously undermining our terms and conditions. This is the point that we have got to take on board. Sheffield Trades Union Council Delegate Meeting
THE PORTUGUESE WORKERS PROJECT - TRABALHADORES PORTUGUESES EM INGLATERRA
As a result of the protocol between the TUC - the British Trade Union Congress - and CGTP - the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers - the Portuguese Workers project is a source of immediate support for working people in the UK
TUC-CGTP PORTUGUESE WORKERS’ PROJECT
For Portuguese Speakers TUC - (Portuguese Workers’ Project) Tel: 0207 467 1256 (to leave a message) E-mail: ctp@tuc.org.uk
TUC Portuguese Workers’ Project, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B3LS
TUC Portuguese Workers’ Project, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B3LS
Monday 26 March 2007
THE MOVEMENT IN BRISTOL TO ABOLISH SLAVE TRADE
"The absence of conflict is not evidence of the presence of peace." The report of Marvin Rees from Bristol
FEMINIZATION OF WORKING POVERTY
More women then ever before are in work, but a persistent gap in status, job security, wages and education between women and men is contributing to the "feminization of working poverty", according to a new report by the International Labour Office (ILO): Global Employment Trends for Women Brief - 2007
THE REPORT OF THE WORLD COMMISSION
There is an urgent need to rethink current institutions of global economic governance, whose rules and policies it says are largely shaped by powerful countries and powerful players. The unfairness of key rules of trade and finance reflect a serious "democratic deficit" at the heart of the system. The failure of policies, it argues, is due to the fact that market-opening measures and financial and economic considerations have consistently predominated over social ones, including measures compatible with the prerogatives of international human rights law and the principles of international solidarity. Says the Report of the World Commission on the Social dimension of Globalization
FORCED LABOUR: DECEPTION OR FALSE PROMISES ABOUT TYPES AND TERMS OF WORK
The International Labour Organization - ILO- defines deception or false promises about types and terms of work as being forced labour
FORCED LABOUR IN EUROPE
EuropeTrafficking appears to be the main route into forced labour in Europe. While much of the attention has been focused on victims of sexual exploitation, there is growing evidence that many are being trafficked for forced labour in agriculture, domestic service, construction work and sweatshops. Victims of forced labour in Europe come mainly from Asia, former Soviet republics, Eastern Europe and Africa.
Go to the European Industrial Relations Observatory
Go to the European Industrial Relations Observatory
THE WORLD OF MODERN CHILD SLAVERY
When it is mentioned we tend to think of people, almost always black people; degraded, abused and bound in chains, and we tend to think of such images, and the word slavery itself, as belonging to another era.
We do not see slavery as belonging to our world, not as something which is still happening today.
Reports Rageh Omar
We do not see slavery as belonging to our world, not as something which is still happening today.
Reports Rageh Omar
TOMATO PICKING IN NORTH AMERICA
Guadalupe Gonzalez, 37, is one of the thousands of mainly-Hispanic migrants who work as tomato-pickers in the fields of Immokalee, southern Florida.
Friday 16 March 2007
TIGHTER SANCTIONS FOR BREACHING HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWS
Following events at Bernard Matthews Hungary legislates. At cee-foodindustry.com
Wednesday 14 March 2007
LIDL SUPERMARKETS AND EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE
"Ver.di, a huge German trade union with 2.5 million members, published a book called Das Schwarz-Buch Lidl Europa (The Black Book on Lidl in Europe). This was based on more than 3,500 accounts submitted by past and present employees. An updated 144-page English translation came out last year, detailing complaints from some of Lidl's 170,000-plus staff working in 23 European countries". Read the newspaper
EMPLOYMENT IN EAST ANGLIA AND BERNARD MATTHEWS
“There have been quite a few redundancies in the area recently, including the huge job loses at the Bernard Matthews factory, which has impacted upon the local labour market". Says the Manpower's operations manager for East Anglia
Monday 12 March 2007
BIRD FLU MEASURES LIFTED
The last restrictions on the Bernard Matthews plant in Suffolk - the centre of last month's bird flu outbreak - have been lifted. BBC
BERNARD MATTHEWS ADVERT
Reports of the advert
"Some experts though do not understand the plan as many believe that the money should be put towards the workers who are being laid off." reports e-Canada now
"Some experts though do not understand the plan as many believe that the money should be put towards the workers who are being laid off." reports e-Canada now
BRITISH MEPs PUZZLED WITH BERNARD MATTHEWS PLANS AND CONCERNED WITH HUMAN COST TO WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
As reported in Norwish Evening news 24
Richard Howitt MEP said today: “The human cost of these lay-offs is deeply distressing for many families in the county. We need to provide all the help and assistance they need.“It seems shocking it is announcing multi-million pound market plans and receiving about £1m of public funds from Europe for compensation. Workers are being treated in an appalling way.”
Norwich North MP Dr Ian Gibson said: “This plan seems incongruous to me. I would like to know what this strategy is all about because I cannot understand why the company is doing this when staff are being laid off.”
Richard Howitt MEP said today: “The human cost of these lay-offs is deeply distressing for many families in the county. We need to provide all the help and assistance they need.“It seems shocking it is announcing multi-million pound market plans and receiving about £1m of public funds from Europe for compensation. Workers are being treated in an appalling way.”
Norwich North MP Dr Ian Gibson said: “This plan seems incongruous to me. I would like to know what this strategy is all about because I cannot understand why the company is doing this when staff are being laid off.”
Friday 9 March 2007
SEVEN WORKERS WENT BACK TO WORK?
The company announced this week it had to temporarily lay off an additional 26 workers following the outbreak and subsequent drop in sales. A total of 183 staff had been temporarily laid off although seven had been re-engaged on March 5, she said.
This week was all launched the one-page advert. BBC
This week was all launched the one-page advert. BBC
BERNARD MATTHEWS: COMPENSATION AND INVESTIGATION
POULTRY giant Bernard Matthews is to receive around £600,000 in compensation for the healthy birds culled following the H5N1 outbreak at its Holton plant last month.
This is despite the fact Defra confirmed this week that the investigation into the outbreak at the site – and whether or not the company was to blame – was still ongoing. Says Farmers Guardian
This is despite the fact Defra confirmed this week that the investigation into the outbreak at the site – and whether or not the company was to blame – was still ongoing. Says Farmers Guardian
WHY DID BERNARD MATTHEWS RECRUIT PORTUGUESE WORKERS?
“We weren’t going to get the people locally . . . young people just don’t see the food industry as sexy.” The Times
WORKING AT BERNARD MATTHEWS
"You can imagine working in that kind of environment on a long-term basis. It must be really quite awful."
The solicitor defending Palmer and Allan, Simon Nicholls, described the conditions in the unit as "appalling". BBC
The solicitor defending Palmer and Allan, Simon Nicholls, described the conditions in the unit as "appalling". BBC
Thursday 8 March 2007
POULTRY PROCESSED IN INFECTED PLANT
A Labour Euro MP said many members of the public would have assumed that the plant had shut down completely during the outbreak and would be surprised by the revelation. ITV news
Hundreds of tons of poultry passed through the Bernard Matthews plant and entered the food chain during the bird flu outbreak, the government has said. . BBC
What did the Secretary of State for Health say?
Also reported at Food Production Daily.com
More reports
Hundreds of tons of poultry passed through the Bernard Matthews plant and entered the food chain during the bird flu outbreak, the government has said. . BBC
What did the Secretary of State for Health say?
Also reported at Food Production Daily.com
More reports
WHAT IS BERNARD MATTHEWS SPENDING £7 MILLION ON?
Farmers Weekly Interactive says that Bernard Matthews plans to spend £7m on a “refreshment plan” and has yet to confirm how much will be allocated for the “recovery plan”.
Wednesday 7 March 2007
DTI: BERNARD MATTHEWS "BEST PRACTICE EMPLOYER"
The systems it now has in place led the DTI to describe Bernard Matthews as "a best practice employer"
NORFOLK NEWS IN PORTUGUESE
“as notÃcias” (The News), a newspaper for Portuguese nationals based in the UK
The “as notÃcias” team consists of an editor and several professional journalists, many of whom are UK correspondents for several different media in Portugal. Its main editorial office will be based in Thetford, with a team of journalists and correspondents located in London and other Portuguese communities.
The newspaper developed from ideas by the Multilingual and European Thetford Association (META), a project managed by Keystone Development Trust, in Thetford. META offers information and advice to Migrant workers based in Norfolk and works with local statutory bodies to encourage community integration. READ ALL ABOUT IT – UK-Portuguese newspaper launched in Thetford, Norfolk
The “as notÃcias” team consists of an editor and several professional journalists, many of whom are UK correspondents for several different media in Portugal. Its main editorial office will be based in Thetford, with a team of journalists and correspondents located in London and other Portuguese communities.
The newspaper developed from ideas by the Multilingual and European Thetford Association (META), a project managed by Keystone Development Trust, in Thetford. META offers information and advice to Migrant workers based in Norfolk and works with local statutory bodies to encourage community integration. READ ALL ABOUT IT – UK-Portuguese newspaper launched in Thetford, Norfolk
HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY ON BERNARD MATTHEWS WORKERS
A small number of workers who are involved in the cleaning and decontamination process are continuing to take antiviral medications. HPA
"NEARLY 200 LAID OFF" AT BERNARD MATTHEWS
nearly 200 people have been laid off since the outbreak of H5N1 strain of the virus at the company's factory in Holton, near Halesworth. Reports the local paper
CGTP INVITED TO THE UK
Support for workers from the Portuguese trade union confederation. In the news
MORE LAYOFFS AT BERNARD MATTHEWS ?
Bernard Matthews, is going to keep 116 portuguese workers in layoff and might layoff more workers. Read the news about CGTP's delegation in the UK
Tuesday 6 March 2007
THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THEY WILL HAVE JOBS TO RETURN TO
Some 165 staff have been laid off by the company in the past fortnight, mostly from its Great Witchingham units.
Now, a European-funded programme called Response to Redundancy is being put in place to help them with advice, training, CVs and job applications. A task force from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is likely to be set up specifically to deal with the layoffs at Bernard Matthews. Reports the local paper
What will the E. Commission say?
Now, a European-funded programme called Response to Redundancy is being put in place to help them with advice, training, CVs and job applications. A task force from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is likely to be set up specifically to deal with the layoffs at Bernard Matthews. Reports the local paper
What will the E. Commission say?
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
The interim report into the outbreak of the deadly H5N1 virus shines a light on the horrifying reality of factory farming in Britain.
The investigation has involved officials from the Government's food and farming department Defra, the State Veterinary Service, the Food Standards Agency, the Health Protection Agency and the Meat Hygiene Service.
It is understood the MHS warned Bernard Matthews on several occasions about leaving the processing plant waste bins open.
The investigation has involved officials from the Government's food and farming department Defra, the State Veterinary Service, the Food Standards Agency, the Health Protection Agency and the Meat Hygiene Service.
It is understood the MHS warned Bernard Matthews on several occasions about leaving the processing plant waste bins open.
BERNARD MATTHEWS CORPORATE LIABILITY
The poultry firm Bernard Matthews could be prosecuted under food safety laws after government inspectors reported a series of biosecurity failings at a plant in Suffolk that saw the UK's first major outbreak of H5N1 bird flu. Times online
BERNARD MATTHEWS AND THE UK EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME
6000 companies with Climate Change Agreements. These negotiated agreements between business and Government set energy-related targets. Companies meeting their targets receive an 80% discount from the Climate Change Levy, a tax on the business use of energy. These companies can use the scheme either to buy allowances to meet their targets, or to sell any over-achievement of these targets. Anyone can open an account on the registry to buy and sell allowances.
BERNARD MATTHEWS PRODUCTS AND THE GROWTH IN ORGANIC SALES
"High profile scares such as the avian influenza outbreak, have contributed to consumer confidence levels. The growth in sales of organic, free range and higher welfare food is partly a response to this change in confidence. THE REPORT BY THE INSTITUTE OF GROCERY DISTRIBUTION
MEP RICHARD HOWITT SAID
Labour MEP Richard Howitt said a task force will be set up in a European redundancy initiative to assist the Suffolk workers with re-training and advice. Reports the local paper
BERNARD MATTHEWS: MORE LAY OFFS?
A company spokesperson said: “It is too early say how many more staff will have to be laid off but we are continuing to work with the relevant unions and inform staff of any updates on the situation. Reports the local paper
Saturday 3 March 2007
"THE RENT IS 80 POUNDS A WEEK. HOW CAN WE BUY FOOD?"
Another laid off worker, who asked to be known as Mary, said: “You cannot imagine how hard it is for us. Everyone here needs the money to survive. We have to pay our rent. The rent is £80 a week. How can we buy food? Sometimes we don't have money to pay our bills. I pray. I don't eat steak, I eat bread.“I hope, and everyone hopes, this situation isn't going to go on very long. I hope next week I will have my work back. I hope someone will do something for us.” Reports the local paper
WORKERS ON LAY OFF AT BERNARD MATTHEWS WITHOUT ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY THE BILLS AND EAT
Like all the laid off workers, she gets £19.60 a day from the company for the first five days without work, plus a one-off £100, but after that the only money available is state benefits of as little as £57 a week. So far she has been living on her savings, but is down to the last £60.She said: “It is very hard. They have given me lay-off without a time, without knowing whether I will go back or not. I haven't paid my rent. All the money I have is not enough to pay the bills and eat. Reports the local paper
70% OF PEOPLE ON LAY OFF AT BERNARD MATTHEWS ARE PORTUGUESE
Around 70pc of the staff laid off by the turkey giant are Portuguese, and most had come to England specifically to work for Bernard Matthews. Now they are trying to support their families on state benefits of as little as £57 a week. Reports the local paper
Friday 2 March 2007
BRITISH MEP: SUPPORT FOR WORKERS AT BERNARD MATTHEWS
“It appears derisory. Payments of £19.60 a day for five days doesn't seem a fair reward to committed workers, some of whom volunteered to clean out the Holton plant irrespective of the health risks real or perceived.” Says edp24
Thursday 1 March 2007
THE POULTRY PRODUCTION INDUSTRY
The Role of the Intensive Poultry Production Industry in the
Spread of Avian Influenza, February 2007 Report
Spread of Avian Influenza, February 2007 Report
"DEREGULATED INDUSTRY"
The poultry trade is both the manifestation and driver of globalisation - much like the opium trade before it, says Felicity Lawrence
FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR BERNARD MATTHEWS
The Bernard Matthews poultry company is to receive £600,000 compensation for its slaughtered turkeys. Reports Sky News
Wednesday 28 February 2007
WHAT DID THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH SAY?
... will Bernard Matthews ever recover from the outbreak of bird flu that threatens to devastate his £400m turkey empire? Asks the Belfast Telegraph
THE EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY
What does the Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority - EFSA - say? And
What is the EFSA's Key Strategy?
What is the EFSA's Key Strategy?
JOINT REPORT BY DEFRA, FSA AND THE HPA
What does the joint report from DEFRA, the Food Standards Agency and the Health Protection Agency say?
WHAT IS THE RISK FOR WORKERS AT BERNARD MATTHEWS?
Investigation Of Workers Involved In The Holton Avian Flu Outbreak, UK - a report by Medical News Today
BERNARD MATTHEWS LAYS OFF ANOTHER 38 WORKERS
38 more workers have been laid off by a firm forced to slaughter 160,000 turkeys after a bird flu outbreak. Report from the BBC and Norwish Evening News
EXCLUSION ZONES
Exclusion zones in Holton to remain in place until the second week of March, report from the East Anglian Daily Times
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
Bernard Matthews plant investigated for responsibility of bird flu spread, news report
Tuesday 27 February 2007
PORTUGUESE WORKERS
How many Portuguese workers in these photos taken at Bernard Matthews?
What were the risks for workers gassing the turkeys?
What were the risks for workers gassing the turkeys?
HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY SAYS...?
"... that the risk to food processing workers and other personnel working in around the food processing plant as being very low and as a result they didn’t require any antiviral treatment."
MEDICATION GIVEN ON 27TH OF FEBRUARY
Medication was made available today to employees at Bernard Matthews
COMPENSATION FOR COMPANY
Bernard Matthews to receive government compensation for the 159 000 turkeys slaughtered.
PUBLIC REGULATION
In cases of outbreaks of bird flu does the Department of Health send specialists to companies to deal with the potentially infected animals or is this the responsibility of the employees?
MONEY MATTERS
The outbreak of the H5N1 strain of avian flu in a Bernard Matthews plant in East Anglia is likely to cost Britain £370m in export trade, with a minimum six-month global trade ban on UK poultry almost certain. And that’s not to mention the impact on the £3.4bn-a-year domestic market.
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