By Bob Moser on 8/23/2011

Penasul Alimentos, a subsidiary of Brazil's Marfrig Group, fired 60 workers last week from its cutting and deboning poultry plant in Roca Sales, Rio Grande do Sul state, according to local newspaper Correio do Povo.

The local meat industry workers union fears 90 more workers will be laid off this coming week, representing 16 percent of the plant's 900-member staff. The local union claims no explanation was given to workers about why they were laid off, other than claims of company restructuring and impact on trade of the weak U.S. dollar.

Through the first six months of 2011, Marfrig has fired more than 800 employees from its plants in Rio Grande do Sul. A company spokesman confirmed the layoffs in Roca Sales, attributing the move to efficiencies gained through automation.

The Roca Sales plant can debone more than 66,000 pounds of poultry thighs and drumsticks per day.

I would hate to have to debone chicken all day !!!!!