ਮੁਰੇ ਬ੍ਰਿਜ ਦੀ ਥਾਮਸ ਇੰਟਰਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਫ਼ੂਡ ਪਲਾਂਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੱਗ ਲੱਗਣ ਨਾਲ ਭਾਰੀ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ। ਸ਼ਿਫਟ ਵਰਕਰ ਵਜੋਂ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਜਗਤਾਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਗਰੀ ਮੁਤਾਬਿਕ ਕਈ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਲਈ ਅੱਗ ਦੇ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਮੁੜ ਉਭਰਨਾ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ।
Various local agencies are coordinating to assist more than 1400 workers who are on the brink of losing their livelihood after a blaze engulfed Thomas Foods International’s (TFI) Murray Bridge facility on Wednesday evening.
Murray Bridge’s Nagri family is one of the Indian-Australian families who have been severely affected by this tragedy.
Jagtar Singh Nagri who is a shift worker at Thomas Foods told SBS Punjabi that he is devastated yet ‘hopeful’ after Wednesday night’s intense fire that did major damage to the meat plant.
“Everyone is in deep shock. It will be a nightmare to displace from this area. I can’t think of to be out of job, even if temporarily,” he said.
“I am glad that no one was injured in the blaze. The evacuation plans were well-in place to save so many lives. The management also acted swiftly to ensure all livestock were safely relocated.
The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union said it was concerned about staff temporarily left without work.
TFI chief executive Darren Thomas said some of the company’s 1400 employees would be redeployed to its facilities.
“Moving forward there is going to be disruption to the Murray Bridge facility but it’s too early to say how long that is going to be,” Mr Thomas said.
“The main focus over the ensuing months is to ensure our employees are employed in whatever format that might be.”
Jagtar Singh Nagri told SBS that there are more than twenty Indian-origin families who are fully dependent on the factory for their livelihood.
“I have been working for this company since 2012. We can’t thank them enough for bringing food to our tables. I am sure they will find a way out as we desperately need their support to find a new job.
“The factory is the backbone of our community. Our local economy depends on its successful functioning.
“No one really knows what will happen next ..... But one thing is for sure that we’ll stick to the company that has looked after us for such a long time.
“As migrants, we feel lucky to be in this country. Ever since the tragedy struck we have been offered help by various sources."
“There have been meetings in place with the representatives from the factory and government officials to discuss the welfare of the workers .
“It doesn’t feel good to go on Centrelink for financial assistance. But I can tell even if it happens it will be for a short span of time.
“We belong to a community that is known for their hard work, dedication the never-say-die-attitude. We will surely bounce back from this tough time.
Thomas Foods International is an Australian-owned meat-processing company that has meet processing facilities at Tamworth in New South Wales and Wallangarra in Queensland, along with its SA operations.
Its lamb, beef, mutton and goat production supplies major supermarkets in Australia, Asia and the United States, and it supplies the McDonald's chain.
In a media statement, TFI has thanked the State’s emergency service crews for their rapid response and efforts in helping contain the fire at the Murray Bridge processing facilities.
‘We’re currently assessing the damage caused by the fire and it’s still too early to tell the full extent. The safety and wellbeing of all our staff is our highest priority’ – reads the statement.
TFI exports to 80 countries and has an annual turnover of more than $1 billion.
