Yarrows workers laid off

Icon Taranaki baker Yarrows has laid off 28 workers in Manaia after the company shifted some production to Australia to meet a contract with the Australian Subway franchise.

The high New Zealand dollar is also being blamed for the company's inability to gather more export contracts to fill lost local production.

EPMU lead organiser Wayne Ruscoe says the redundant workers are more victims of the high dollar. "This is an issue that is affecting loads of Kiwi workers and until something's done about it we're going to keep seeing this happen"

"The announcement was really difficult for everyone involved," says Ruscoe, "and the impact on the community will be considerable as Yarrows plays a big role in Taranaki."

Laid-off workers have been offered the chance to relocate to the Sydney plant.