KEMPTON PARK - Workers at Astral Foods’ Festive Chicken say they cannot survive on their current salaries, describing their wages as chicken feed.
Efforts to reach an agreement between the company and workers at its Olifantsfontein plant have deadlocked.
For the past two weeks, workers have been demanding a monthly salary of R13,500 and medical aid.
READ: Festive Chickens workers raise concerns over freezing conditions and PPE
They claim the company does not accept sick notes from public clinics, forcing them to consult private doctors they cannot afford.
They are also demanding adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). However, Festive Chicken says it cannot meet these demands.
In a statement, the company says the workers’ demands are financially unaffordable. It also says it does not recognise the Simunye Workers Forum, which is representing the striking workers.
READ: Festive Chicken workers strike for better wages and permanent jobs
The company says two recognised unions collectively represent the majority of its employees.
Simunye Workers Forum’s Joshua Hlunwani says workers will continue protesting until an agreement is reached.
Astral Foods has tightened security at the plant, with guards controlling access to the premises.
- eNCA's Bafedile Moerane reports.