The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng is shocked by ESKORT Heidelberg’s heavy-handed approach on workers’ issues. The company started by dismissing more than 1500 workers which was followed by its sudden reappointment of these workers, with lesser salaries.

Whilst dealing with this heinous act by ESKORT, COSATU has learned that 19 more workers at Target Meat (ESCORT Butchery), a subsidiary of ESKORT, were also dismissed. Target Meat claims that these workers engaged in an illegal work stoppage. This is incorrect. Target Meat management requested the workers to leave the ESCORT Butchery premises for safety reasons as they had not participated in the so-called illegal work stoppage.

 ESKORT is blatantly undermining the rights of workers and as COSATU, we will work hard to reverse the unfair dismissal of all these workers. We have also noted that Target Meat has advertised the positions which were occupied by these workers. COSATU views this as provocation on all workers in the province.

Whilst waiting for ESKORT to respond to our request for a meeting, COSATU will engage its alliance partners, particularly the South African Communist Party (SACP) to develop a fight back strategy against ESKORT. 

We also call our members and the community of Ratanda to prepare themselves to assist vulnerable workers employed by ESKORT.

Issued by COSATU Gauteng

Provincial Secretary – Louisa Modikwe: 066 182 2402

Provincial Chairperson – Amos Monyela: 079 493 5002