Holden has tailor-made special ‘hardship' severance packages, so that some of its Elizabeth factory workers can leave and get new jobs.

The move stems from the Elizabeth plant switching to single-shift operation in April. As a result some staff have seen their pay drop by about 25 per cent, the lesser of two evils seeing as no jobs were lost. A union official told the ABC the offer would likely be accepted by a couple of hundred workers who'd each receive, as a minimum, about 35 weeks' pay.

Holden says its plans to build the small car in South Australia are unchanged, but any increase in work hours will not happen until well into next year.

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