The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) condemns Eagles Valley Poultry’s attempts to stop workers from voting tomorrow.  This is nothing short, we believe, of an illegal attempt to undermine workers’ constitutional right to vote.

The employer’s instruction to staff to report for duty on a paid public holiday undermines the Basic Conditions of Employment and the Public Holidays Act.

COSATU is intervening on this issue with the Department of Employment and Labour, the Independent Electoral Commission and the South African Police Service to ensure every single employee of Eagles Valley Poultry in Madibeng Municipality, is able to exercise their constitutional right to vote tomorrow.

We will not tolerate any employers’ attempt to undermine workers’ right to vote.  If needs be we will organise workers at such companies to go on strike and call for a consumer boycott of such shameful employers.

Issued by COSATU

For further information please contact:

Matthew Parks
Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator 
Cell: 082 785 0687