More than 50 former Wangaratta fabric manufacturing workers were told the news at yesterday’s creditors meeting.

But on a brighter note, HLB Mann Judd business recovery partner Barry Taylor said the claims from the government were “reasonably well advanced”.

“Workers were interested in the progress of their claim,” he said.

“We are doing all we can to fast-track this.”

Bruck went into liquidation on July 11 owing the now-confirmed 58 former employees their accrued annual leave, long-service leave, pay in lieu of notice and pro-rata payments for employment longevity.

That amounts to $3,845,543.

Mr Taylor said claims ranged from $5000 to just under $150,000, with most amounts owed — now to be paid by the taxpayers through the federal fair entitlements guarantee — more than $60,000.

The workers voted to form a committee of inspection involving three employees.

Former employee Ricky McCormack, 37, attended yesterday’s meeting and told The Border Mail there had been a slight delay in processing his claim with the government.

“They couldn’t accept my form because they needed a birth certificate and I only had a birth extract,” he said.

Mr McCormack has been told it could take up to 10 days to receive the certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages.

“It’s been held up but, hopefully, everything else is smooth sailing,” he said.

The worker said his colleagues had questions about the transaction deal between Bruck and the new company, Australian Textile Mills, but the liquidators were told they could not comment and that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission was still investigating.