Factory workers have been left feeling "insulted" after being offered a pot noodle by their employers during the cost of living crisis.
Faltec Europe Ltd, based at the International Advances Manufacturing Park (IAMP) in Sunderland, told employees they will be providing a "free hot meal" to those who require it.
The meals which are being offered by the firm include pot noodles, porridge pots and pasta pots. The items, which include Mug Shots, cost around £1 to purchase in supermarkets.
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One worker told ChronicleLive: "Staff are insulted by this so called 'act of kindness'. This will go a long way to help feed their family and heat the home this Christmas!
"At a time when staff morale is already at an all time low, and mental health issues are rife, the staff are upset by this suggestion that the management wish to help them through the cost of living crisis.
"Staff would rather continue to stand in the queue at the foodbank than accept this derisory offer from the overpaid, mocking, management team."
A leaflet was reportedly distributed to staff at the local manufacturing factory. It said: "This winter, while we are going through the cost-of-living crisis, the Employee Forum has agreed with the management team that Faltec will offer a free hot meal for those that require it."
The leaflet told employees that there will be a selection of "potted snacks" in the canteen cupboards for colleagues to take and all they will need to do is "add water".
The company said they will review the service once a month to ensure it is being used correctly. They added: "We want to ensure those who require it the most are the ones using this service."
Faltec Europe Ltd is part of the Faltec Group, based in Japan. The company has been in business for 33 years and employs 420 workers at the site in Sunderland. It makes a wide range of exterior and interior trim products for global automotive manufacturers.
Bruce Mair, general affairs manager at Faltec Europe, said that from conversations which he has had with colleagues around the business everyday, he is not aware of dissatisfaction within the workforce.
He said: "The pot noodle, porridge pots and pasta pots is an initiative led by our Employee Forum (EF), which is made up of employees, mostly from our production team, who represent the views of the wider workforce. The EF did this in good faith, as additional help to colleagues during this cost of living crisis."
Mr Mair said Faltec Europe Ltd has announced a pay rise of 7% to help with the cost of living crisis, which will be effective rom January 1.
He added: "We value all our employees, and over and above the pay increase, during this cost of living crisis, we have been able to maintain our additional benefits which include:
- Private medical insurance
- Life assurance
- Six month maternity full pay, three weeks paternity full pay
- 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Cycle to work scheme
- A range of discounts from high street stores e.g. Sainsburys 6%, ASDA 4%, Tesco 4%, B&M 7%, Morrisons 5% etc."
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