This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
GroundUp reports that about 100 workers downed tools at the Ribas Manufacturers in Sandton on Friday morning to demand a larger wage increase.
Most of the workers are affiliated with the General Industries Workers Union of SA (Giwusa) and the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu). Ribas makes and distributes a range of condiments under the TOP Brand franchise and Cash & Carry house brand sauces. On Friday, workers said they would continue striking until their employer increased their wages by R4 per hour rather than the R1.75 offered by the company. The strike follows deadlocked wage negotiations between the company and Giwusa representatives in May. The workers earn about R27.58 per hour (about R5,845 a month), but they say it’s not enough to cover their groceries, transport and electricity as the cost of living has risen. They also claim they work 10-hour shifts but only get one 30-minute lunch break. “We have workers who have been with the company for more than 10 years, and they are earning a minimum wage, which is too little. Workers also do not have proper working gear. Despite raising all these issues, the employer is refusing to meet our demands. The strike will continue until our demands are met,” said Giwusa’s Sipho Linda.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kimberly Mutandiro at GroundUp
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page