The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Mpumalanga, together with its affiliate, the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU), will tomorrow, 7 October, mark the World Day for Decent Work with a picket at Boxer Nelspruit (Mbombela).
The picket will take place at 11am and will be addressed by the Deputy General Secretary of COSATU, Gerald Mkhomazi Twala, who will join workers on the picket line.
The World Day for Decent Work reminds us that every worker has the right to a safe workplace, fair treatment, and respect. For workers at Boxer, these rights are being undermined. Through this picket, SACCAWU members will raise the following demands:
1. Provision of transport for early and late shifts
Workers who start before sunrise or finish after dark are forced to travel unsafely, often at their own cost. Many are exposed to crime and risk their lives just to get to and from work. Boxer must provide safe, reliable transport for early and late shifts.
2. An end to discrimination against flexi-timers on end-of-year bonuses
Flexi-time workers contribute to the success of the stores like any other employee, yet they are treated as second-class workers when it comes to end-of-year bonuses. This is unfair and discriminatory, and we demand that flexi-timers receive equal treatment.
3. An end to the bullying of workers by store management
Workers report intimidation, humiliation and harassment by store managers. No worker should fear going to work. Bullying violates the dignity of workers and has no place in any workplace.
4. Stop union bashing
Workers have a constitutional right to belong to a union of their choice and to organise freely. Any attempt to undermine, intimidate or victimise workers and their union for exercising this right is unacceptable, and we will resist it.
COSATU Mpumalanga calls on Boxer management to take these demands seriously and to engage SACCAWU in good faith so that these matters can be resolved without delay.
Call to action
COSATU Mpumalanga invites all affiliates, members and shop stewards to join the picket in solidarity with SACCAWU members at Boxer Nelspruit. An injury to one is an injury to all. We urge workers across all sectors to come out in numbers and show that the working class stands united against exploitation, bullying and attacks on trade union rights.
Details of the picket:
- Date: 7 October 2026
- Time: 11 am
- Venue: Boxer Nelspruit 1, Bester street (police station street)
- Special guest: Deputy General Secretary of COSATU
Members of the media are invited to attend.
Issued by COSATU Mpumalanga
Thabo Mokoena (Provincial Secretary)
Cell: 073 750 2041
Email: thabo@cosatu.org.za