Workers from Rhodes Food Group (RFG) have taken to the streets in a strike demanding wage increases and better working conditions.
The protest, which began on the morning of July 31, has seen employees from various sectors uniting to call for fair compensation and improvements to their workplace environments.
The Krugersdorp News was on the scene to speak to some of the workers who willingly gave comments but asked to remain anonymous to protect themselves from the actions that the company might take against them. The workers claim that they were peacefully striking adjacent to the company’s three gates when suddenly the police arrived and started to shoot at them in defence of the company.
The South African Industrial Commercial and Allied Workers Union (SAICWU), an affiliate of the South African Federation of Trade Unions, has lashed out at the police, alleging that their attack on the protesting workers is baseless.
“We are demanding an increase of R700 in our salaries but the employer refuses to accept our demand. More than 10 workers were admitted at Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital after sustaining serious injuries from a hail of rubber bullets fired by the police and others were unlawfully arrested,” remarks SAICWU president Simon Rendani Munyai.
The protesters claim that their working conditions are toxic, they are not provided with personal protective equipment, and that there is a lot of nepotism taking place inside the company.
“I have been working here for more than 15 years but I am still earning a lot less than what my current position allows me to earn. We don’t normally see job vacancies but we always see new faces sourced outside of the company working in higher positions,” one protester said.
“There’s more than 200 workers here and all of us are expected to share one microwave during lunchtime which is 30 minutes and when you go to the bathroom you have to clock in and out. If you take more time than you’re supposed to, you get fired. Often you get people working in the same department, but earn more money,” another worker claimed.
The company and SAICWU, which represents the employees, are currently in a wage dispute. The company offered a higher-than-inflation increase, which it deems fair in the current economic environment.
“The increase offered was however rejected by the union and the employees and they elected to go on strike,” said RFG’s head of group employee relations, Hardus Hamman.
The News approached the Krugersdorp Police Station Commander, Brigadier Happy Xaba for a comment and he said that a docket has been opened. He refused to provide further comment on the matter. An update will be provided should any new information arise.
