Nearly 190 workers, predominantly from Somalia, were terminated from a JBS meatpacking plant in Fort Morgan, Colorado, after staging a walkout to protest restrictions on workplace prayer, according to reports emerging Friday.
The dispute centers on the ability of Muslim employees to observe prayer times during their shifts at the Cargill Meat Solutions facility. Employees allege they were told they could not pray on the job, a claim that prompted the perform stoppage. Following the walkout, the company reportedly fired the protesting workers.
The terminations come as JBS, the world’s largest meat processing company, is simultaneously pursuing an expansion into the global Halal market. Recent investments include a multi-protein production platform in Oman, intended to serve a potential consumer base of two billion. This expansion aims to reduce reliance on imports and bolster local production capacity.
The company’s US operations have also seen successes, with its Pilgrim’s Pride subsidiary’s “Just Bare” brand exceeding $1 billion in annual retail sales. This growth in value-added protein products is contributing to improved margins within the US market.
The situation in Colorado presents a challenge to JBS as it navigates these growth plans. A spokesperson for the Colorado Halal Tiny Business Group confirmed the organization actively promotes the concept of “halal” within the state, contributing to economic growth and job creation, but did not comment directly on the Cargill dispute.
The potential for a labor dispute at the Colorado plant introduces operational risks that investors are now weighing against the company’s long-term expansion strategies. As of Friday afternoon, JBS had not issued a public statement addressing the specific allegations regarding prayer accommodations or the reasons for the mass termination.