Seven days ago, the doors at the second-largest meat processing plant in the country were closed following an E. coli outbreak.

Over the past few weeks, more than 1,600 beef products have been recalled because of possible E. coli contamination.

The 2,200 people who work at the facility are wondering when they will be called back and are demanding they be paid during the closure.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 401 has fired off a letter to the company seeking compensation.

Human Resources Minister Dave Hancock tells Citytv some staff from his department have been sent to the area to monitor the situation and offer help if needed.

Many of the workers at XL Foods are new Canadians or temporary foreign workers.

Tina, who works at a 7-Eleven store in Brooks, tells 660News workers are becoming more and more frustrated because of a lack of communication.

She says while affected workers are listening to the local radio station for updates, many are also dropping off resumes with other businesses in the area.