Festive Chicken workers allege unsafe conditions, unhygienic uniforms and inadequate protective equipment amid an ongoing strike.
Image: File
Astral Foods has rejected allegations of unsafe and unhygienic working conditions at its Festive poultry processing plant in Olifantsfontein, describing claims that employees are forced to share unwashed uniforms and protective equipment as false and misleading.
The company’s response follows allegations by workers and their representatives about workplace hygiene, inadequate protective equipment, injuries, long working hours and job insecurity during an ongoing strike at the poultry producer.
One worker, who requested anonymity, alleged that employees across nine different shifts sometimes had to share uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE) that had not been properly cleaned.
“Although we work with chicken products throughout the day, workers across nine different shifts are sometimes forced to share the same uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE),” the worker said.
The worker alleged that the problem occurred after the factory’s washing machine broke down, leaving uniforms unwashed for up to three days.
“With three shifts operating daily, we are expected to wear clothing and protective equipment previously used by workers across the other eight shifts, without it being cleaned.
“This exposes us to serious health risks and compromises our dignity. Festive is failing in its responsibility to care for its workers.”
Other concerns raised included working in freezing environments without adequate protection, exposure to dust, workplace injuries, long working hours and uncertainty over employment.
Workers raise concerns about safety and job security
Connie Masekwameng, an organiser with the Casual Worker Advice Office (CWAO) group, said employees had raised concerns about unsafe working conditions, long working hours and unhygienic protective equipment.
She said job security was another major concern, with many employees allegedly afraid to raise grievances because they feared losing their jobs.
According to Masekwameng, workers employed on casual arrangements faced uncertainty about continued employment, making them reluctant to speak out about their treatment.
Cosatu condemned what it described as the undermining of casual workers at the factory and said it would conduct its own research and investigate the allegations.
“No one should be subjected to such conditions,” the federation said.
Astral rejects allegations and cites workplace audits
In a statement issued on 7 November, Astral Foods categorically rejected the allegations about shared uniforms and PPE.
The company said Festive was regularly audited for food safety and hygiene compliance against internationally recognised and approved standards, including ISO and FSSC 22000.
The operation was also subject to customer food safety and quality audits, certification audits and regulatory inspections conducted by the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Health and other accredited compliance agencies, Astral said.
The company added that inspectors from the Agency for Food Safety and Quality (AFSQ) were permanently stationed at the facility and reported any issues directly to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
Astral also rejected CWAO’s claims that employees were afraid to raise grievances for fear of losing their jobs.
“Employees have access to established grievance and dispute resolution procedures, and to representation by the recognised trade unions, through which concerns about working conditions can be raised without fear of victimisation,” the company said.
Astral urged employees to use these channels rather than spreading what it described as “false and malicious claims through the media”.
Company links strike to union recognition dispute
Astral said the industrial action at the plant related to a collective-bargaining dispute declared by the Simunye Workers Forum (SWF) over its demands for organisational rights.
The company said the SWF was not a recognised trade union, while Festive had two recognised unions which together represented the majority of employees in the workplace.
Astral said there were no disputes between Festive and either of the recognised unions.
The company also alleged that SWF members had been involved in violence and intimidation against employees who wanted to work.
“Astral is investigating numerous cases of violence and intimidation by SWF members against employees who wish to work, preventing them from attending their shifts,” the statement said.
It added that criminal cases had been opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Astral also referred to individuals making allegations who it said were “locked out of the workplace and legally prohibited from attending work”.
The company condemned what it described as violence and intimidation against employees wishing to work.
Plant operating with reduced workforce
Astral said the Festive Olifantsfontein plant was operating with a reduced workforce, with contingency measures in place to increase production.
The company said it was working urgently to restore full production capacity and remained committed to the safety, wellbeing and fair treatment of all its employees.
The allegations about working conditions have not been independently established. Astral has disputed them, while the company’s claims about intimidation and the circumstances surrounding the industrial action have also been attributed to the company.