Fripur facilities. (Photo: A. Colmegna)

Fripur faces foreseeable closure due to financial issues accumulation

URUGUAY
Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The head of the Ministry of Industry, Carolina Cosse, clarified that the financial issues of Frigorífico Pesquero del Uruguay SA (Fripur) were not experienced "two days ago," and ensured that now "nothing else is left to do" to save it.

Anyway, the minister said the Government will try to find "ways" for the future employment of more than 900 employees the company had, reported El Pais.

Founded in 1976, Fripur became the largest fishing company in Uruguay, but in July last year there was a voluntary creditors’ meeting, beset by debt and serious financial problems.

"The company has a history with the Republic Bank and a number of creditors and there is nothing left to do," explained Cosse. "The Government is offering all its sensitivity, time and work to try to offer solutions to workers," Cosse stressed.

According to the minister, the issue of Fripur was specific and is not connected to "a complex overall process at regional level."

For his part, Minister of Labour and Social Security Ernesto Murro deemed the closure of Fripur as a "regrettable fact" and stated that without State support, the company Fripur "would have closed several years ago."

"The future will depend on whether there is a global or individual investor," said the official in statements to El Observador.

In this regard, the National Director of Labour, Juan Castillo, stressed that the Uruguayan Government shares the "expectation" with Fripur workers as to the appearance of an investor who would take over the plant.

"The industry is viable, but the company was in the red. They are two different things," he emphasised.

The company decided that a group of workers (between 25 and 40 people) must remain in the plant to perform maintenance and surveillance activities while the rest of the workers will become redundant.

Meanwhile, a working group has been staying at the plant since Tuesday, pending certain conditions are met regarding the closure of the fishing firm. To start with, they would remain there until Thursday, when a meeting has been scheduled at the Ministry of Labour.

Carlos Vega, leader of the Union of Fisheries, told the local press that they are also claiming unpaid wages and the right to unemployment insurance for all workers.

Related article:

- After 39 years, Fripur closes its doors

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
 

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