Woolworths stands down 8,000 employees from its pubs and pokies joint venture as social-distancing coronavirus crackdown takes its toll
- Woolworths has stood down 8,000 employees in its pubs and pokie businesses
- It comes after government announced all ‘non-essential’ businesses would close
- Woolworths said 650 staff had been redeployed and 2,000 more will be in a day
- Pubs and restaurants have been forced to close across Australia as have cafes
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
About 8,000 workers for Woolworths pubs and pokies joint venture have been stood down.
ALH group, jointly owned by Woolworths and the Mathieson family, operates more than 300 licensed venues across Australia but was forced to shut these down after the government ordered all ‘non-essential’ businesses close due to coronavirus.
Thousands have since been left without a job but the supermarket giant said that within a day nearly 3,000 would be redeployed.
Woolworths have stood down as many as 8,000 staff from their pubs and pokies businesses under ALH Group due to the outbreak of coronavirus
ALH which is part of the Endeavour Group, owns brands like BWS and Dan Murphys and has around 15,000 staff working.
AHL Group also has as many as 550 liquor outlets across Australia which will remain in business.
A spokesperson for Endeavour Group, also owned by Woolworths, said that they were working to redeploy as many ALH workers as they could.
They said 650 staff had already been given new jobs and another 2,000 would be redeployed within the next day.
Paid leave will also be supplied to workers who were let go.
‘While we have regretfully had to stand down many employees following the mandatory closures of pubs and hotel yesterday, we will be looking to redeploy as a priority as many ALH team members as possible to work in our retail liquor (BWS and Dan Murphy’s) and in the Woolworths supermarkets business,’ the spokesperson said.
ALH Group which includes brands like BWS have been forced to shut more than 300 pubs across Australia due to tight social distancing rules
‘ALH is paying personal leave or, where no personal leave exists COVID-19 leave for up to 2 weeks. In the case of full-time employees, the payment will be 38 hours each week, part-time employees will receive their guaranteed hours; and for casual team members, the payment will be based on their up-coming two-week roster.
‘650 ALH employees have already been offered roles in other parts of the Group and another 2000 will be offered roles in the next 24 hours.’
On Sunday night, Scott Morrison announced all ‘non-essential’ businesses would shut down to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
This includes restaurants, pubs, cinemas, gyms and cafes.
Liquor stores will remain open as well takeaway and delivery services.
On Sunday night, Scott Morrison announced all ‘non-essential’ businesses would shut down to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Liquor stores like Dan Murphys will remain open