North Otago meat workers laid off because of a labelling mistake are being paid several hundred dollars each in compensation.
Alliance Group stood down 240 sheep meat workers last week at its Pukeuri plant near Oamaru until the Ministry for Primary Industries restores its export certification for China.
The workers' union has been calling for the company to continue paying staff until the problem is resolved.
Alliance Group general manager of processing Kerry Stevens says it has agreed to pay the minimum weekly payment of $525 for the whole of last week, to recognise the unusual circumstances.
He says the ministry is auditing the company's systems this week and hopes to get the plant fully operational again soon after.
