Disabled workers cooperative in Igualada reopens to make hand sanitizer

Àuria Cooperativa, a disabled workers cooperative in the central Catalonia city of Igualada that has been hard-hit by the coronavirus public health crisis, has reopened to begin making hand sanitizer.

The company, which has had a cosmetics division since 2008, had had to present a temporary layoff scheme affecting a total of 328 employees only weeks earlier due to a significant drop in business stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The hand sanitizer will be used at establishments carrying out essential services, including the Àuria Foundation's own care homes, pharmacies, primary care medical centers, and the local hospital.

The Igualada-based cooperative is one of eight companies that authorities have allowed to reopen in order to produce hand sanitizer, but of these, Àuria Cooperativa is the only non-profit.

Àuria Cooperativa has thus far been able to reemploy 10 people and began to deliver its orders on Thursday.