Seasonal workers at the meat-processing plant were sent home on August 8, after the plant's certification to export to China was suspended when a breach of Chinese labelling regulations was discovered in July. Alliance Group processing manager Kerry Stevens yesterday confirmed all the workers had now been recalled.
''We've worked hard to ensure processing can resume at Pukeuri so it is certainly good news for our employees.''
Although the plant was still awaiting confirmation from the Ministry of Primary Industries that it could restart exporting to China, Mr Stevens said the workers would help meet Christmas demand for chilled lamb from the United Kingdom and Europe.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean was pleased the Pukeuri workers were now back. ''The situation prompting those lay-offs has been protracted and has caused concern not only for the company's staff and their families but the community as a whole,'' she said.
The matter of labelling requirements behind the lay-offs had been unfortunate but there were several businesses around the country being reminded of the importance of keeping on top of their customer requirements.
