The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng stands firmly in solidarity with the more than 1 000 Festive Chicken workers who have embarked on a protected strike at the company’s Olifantsfontein facility in Ekurhuleni, demanding decent wages, better working conditions and respect for their dignity as workers.

COSATU Gauteng is deeply concerned by the deadlock in wage negotiations between the workers and management of Festive Chicken, a division of Astral Foods. The continued failure to reach an agreement demonstrates a worrying disregard for the economic realities facing ordinary working-class families, particularly at a time when the cost of living continues to place enormous pressure on workers.

Workers are demanding a monthly salary of R13 500, medical aid, permanent employment and improved working conditions. They have also raised serious concerns about inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), exposure to extremely cold working environments, long working hours and the alleged refusal by the company to recognise medical certificates issued by public healthcare facilities.

COSATU Gauteng finds it unacceptable that workers who dedicate their time and labour to sustaining a profitable business should be expected to endure conditions that compromise their health, safety and economic well-being. No worker should be forced to choose between earning a living and protecting their health.

We are particularly disturbed by reports that some employees have remained classified as casual workers despite serving the company for many years. This practice undermines employment security, deprives workers of stability and benefits, and perpetuates the exploitation of vulnerable employees. Employers must stop using casual employment as a permanent business model to avoid their responsibilities towards workers.

COSATU Gauteng further calls on Astral Foods and Festive Chicken management to abandon their rigid approach and return to meaningful negotiations with workers and their representatives. The company’s position that workers’ demands are financially unaffordable cannot simply be used to dismiss legitimate concerns about poverty wages, medical assistance and workplace safety. Workers are not asking for favours; they are demanding fair compensation and conditions that respect their humanity.

We also call on the Department of Employment and Labour to urgently investigate the reported workplace conditions, particularly the provision of protective clothing, occupational health and safety standards, working hours and compliance with labour legislation. The department must ensure that workers are not exposed to hazardous conditions while performing their duties.

Furthermore, COSATU Gauteng reminds the employer that workers have a constitutional right to organise, engage in collective bargaining and participate in protected strike action. Management must respect these rights and refrain from any intimidation, victimisation or threats against employees exercising their lawful rights. The Labour Court has already affirmed the workers’ right to participate in the protected strike.

COSATU Gauteng calls for an urgent resolution to this dispute that prioritises workers’ interests and restores stability in the workplace. We cannot allow a situation where companies expect workers to produce, process and distribute enormous quantities of products while those same workers struggle to afford basic necessities for themselves and their families.

The poultry industry, like every other sector of the economy, depends on the labour of ordinary workers. Their contribution must be recognised through decent wages, secure employment, access to healthcare and safe working environments.

Issued by COSATU Gauteng

Provincial Chairperson: Amos Vusi Monyela: 079 493 5002

Provincial Secretary: Louisah Moepeng Modikwe: 082 297 2659