The ministry is encouraging those affected by the lengthy seasonal layoffs who still require support to get in touch.
Some staff at Oamaru Meats are facing a longer-than-normal seasonal layoff, as the company struggles to maintain beef numbers coming into the plant.
Oamaru Meats director Richard Thorp said yesterday the workers were given notice about two weeks ago that they could be out of work for up to 14 weeks as the company experiences "ebbs and flows'' in meat supply.
Ministry of Social Development regional director John Allen said two seminars had been held with affected workers and ministry staff had met about 20 workers.
The ministry would hold further seminars if needed.
"We will, of course, help anyone who finds themselves out of work, so as always, we encourage people to get in touch if they are finding it tough to meet essential costs.''The ministry had been able to help ‘‘some people'' get other meat processing work, and was looking at other jobs available in North Otago.
NZ Binxi (Oamaru) Foods, whose shares are owned by Heilongjiang Binxi Cattle Industry Co Ltd, had significantly increased the amount of beef processed at the "specialist sheep and lamb'' North Otago plant, Mr Thorp said.
"We're diverting to new markets for us ... and you just can't turn on a new market like a switch. It takes time and building those customers,'' Mr Thorp said.
"Not only have you got to establish yourself in the markets, you've got to establish yourself in the procurement markets, which is purchasing the animals. ... And the long-term established guys tend to have a bit of reach and the guys that are trying to develop their business just don't have that reach and there's a little bit of up-and-down activity.''
Mr Thorp said the 14 weeks indicated as a term of the layoff was a maximum.
The company was reviewing its position week by week but restarting the beef chain would be "dictated by the volume''.
Otago Southland Meat Workers' Union president Daryl Carran said the possible length of the layoff was "quite unusual'' at the plant, which was was 99% unionised and usually operated year-round.
There had been three previous layoffs within a 12-month period, he said.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said Oamaru Meats was an important employer for the district.
He said he hoped the affected workers were being looked after "both by the company and by government ministries''.
Oamaru Meats was previously known as Lean Meats Oamaru.
Hastings-based Lean Meats bought Abco Meats (Oamaru) Ltd, which had gone into receivership, in 2006.
The meat works was established in the 1970s.
Mr Thorp said up to 250 staff worked at the plant during peak periods.
"We're on record saying we want to build this business. We've got some good upmarket activity but it takes a while to break into those markets and when you haven't had a large volume for a number of years ... it takes a while to build that business up.''
Talks were held on Wednesday to try to resolve issues with Invercargill's Prime Range Meats processing company, after the plant unexpectedly ceased processing last week.
An estimated 130 workers were sent home indefinitely last Tuesday.
