FAWU Finds SAB Retrenchments Deplorable

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union (F.A.W.U.) notes with extreme discontent ABInbev’s SAB unit’s flawed initiative to retrench more than 600 employees.


It is even more disconcerting that FAWU had to handle dismissals via retrenchments on the very same day that workers were supposed to commemorate Worker’ day. It flies squarely in the face of the historical efforts and sacrifices of all those who fought hard towards May Day to ensure the dignity of workers in workplaces against the capitalist greed system across the world that seemed to prioritise profit maximization at the expense of labour. 

“At the very beginning of the lockdown, we have already expressed that many employers would take advantage of it with claims of financial constraints which, in many instances are unfounded. It does not surprise us then that SAB did not satiate a fair process, which remains an obligation, as well as a requisite in terms of the LRA of 1995 as amended on the part of the employer”, said FAWU General Secretary Mngomezulu Mayoyo. The very same SAB retrenched workers not so long ago, and for them to follow a similar pattern does not surprise us even amidst the current conditions of the corona virus disease we are faced with. It will not surprise us if more than 1 000 workers are affected in the end as a result of this devious conduct by SAB in this year alone. FAWU will not tolerate any unfair attempts against our members by employers based on the premises of a Covid-19 attack. On the contrary, we will be practising an even more vigilant approach against any such initiatives that seek to undermine legitimate processes in a bid to increase the crisis of unemployment. We furthermore hope the repudiation of sale of alcohol is not an aggravator that leads to dismissal of workers as an alternative. 

We have already approached the Labour Court on an urgent basis to challenge this malicious and unfair conduct by SABInbev and working with our legal team in the process, we shall be contesting any element of unfairness in pursuit of saving jobs. Those employers who choose to dismiss workers with the hopes of enjoying higher profits, and who are cutting corners in lieu of embarking on saving lives of employees are not in the fight against corona, but are in a race of profit maximization. It is disheartening and morally reprehensible seeing that it is the very same employees whose labour is responsible for profits and sustainable businesses.