Employees of Casa-Mia Biscuit Manufacturing staged a protest outside the company’s premises at 43 Jesmond Avenue, Nancefield, on Monday, July 13, alleging unfair labour practices.

When Soweto Urban arrived at the scene, workers were protesting peacefully outside the factory. However, a Vision Tactical security official alleged that some protesters had damaged the entrance gate.

The workers agreed to speak to the media on condition of anonymity, saying they feared victimisation.

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One worker from Slovo Park, who said he has been employed by the company for more than two years, alleged that employees work 12-hour shifts from 6am to 6pm, seven days a week, with only a 30-minute lunch break and one 15-minute tea break.

He further alleged that their hourly rates are not stipulated in their employment contracts.

“The contract states that we will work 12 hours on weekdays. However, since I started, I have been working from Monday to Sunday without any rest days,” he said.

Another worker from Pimville alleged that employees are denied labour benefits they believe they are entitled to.

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“We do not have UIF and a provident fund. We just work. I’ve been with the company for over a year. Our agreement was 12 hours from Monday to Friday, but we are forced to work on weekends as well.”

The same worker also alleged that South African employees had been dismissed and replaced with migrant workers because, according to him, they were less likely to complain about working conditions.

“They are treating us like we are foreigners.”

A group of workers told Soweto Urban they were demanding what they believe are fair labour practices.

“We want our lunch break increased to one hour and our tea break to 30 minutes. We want to know how much our hourly rate is. We stand on our feet for 12 hours and, on top of that, our supervisors mistreat us. We do not have employment contracts; we were made to sign only a job description form.”

The workers also alleged that they receive payslips only on request.

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“It takes at least three weeks to get your payslip after requesting it. When you take that payslip to the bank or to apply for credit at a shop, they tell you it appears to be a draft and cannot be accepted.”

They further alleged that they are required to perform duties outside their job descriptions.

“We do not get paid our full amounts, there is no night shift allowance, and we do not have annual leave or sick leave. We are verbally suspended without receiving written warnings. UIF is deducted on our payslips; however, we believe we are not registered with the Department of Employment and Labour.”

Another worker alleged that they were dismissed after missing work to visit a clinic, despite submitting a doctor’s sick note.

The workers submitted a memorandum of demands, which was received and signed by Casa-Mia HR representative Poppy Ramosina.

Ramosina told the workers she would present the memorandum to management.

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The workers’ demands include:

• An increase in hourly wages or a minimum daily wage of R400, as well as a night shift allowance
• Registration for UIF
• Regular payslips
• A review of working hours
• Medical aid
• Pension fund benefits
• Rest days and paid leave
• Permanent employment contracts
• Personal protective equipment
• Paid sick leave upon submission of a valid medical certificate

The workers said they would not return to work until they received a formal response to their demands.

They said they expected management’s response on Wednesday, July 15.

Soweto Urban attempted to obtain comment from Casa-Mia. However, security personnel denied the media access to the premises while Ramosina was escorted inside. Casa-Mia had not responded to Soweto Urban’s request for comment at the time of publication.