FAWU Welcomes Agriculture Relief Funds

Media Statement

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union (F.A.W.U) welcomes the recent announcement by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza, over her department’s grant of more than R500 million in relief funds to about 15 036 small holder and communal farmers who were severely affected by  the Covid-19 pandemic.

We believe that the funds will go a long way to assist its intended beneficiaries who include the most vulnerable rural communities across the country.  These small-scale and subsistence farmers are also responsible for the employment of many rural farm workers and farm dwellers and ensure food security for those living in these small communities. FAWU has always viewed self-sufficiency in food production as vital for survival for those living and working in agrarian areas. It is satisfying to see that the beneficiary groups extended its reach to included women, the youth and people with disabilities.

As an organisation representing labour, we are appreciative of the Ministry’s intervention efforts in terms of the severe challenges facing the agricultural sector and its most vulnerable stakeholders during this Covid-19 pandemic. 

We want to commend the Ministry’s initiative with the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to farm workers as they have become frontline workers in safeguarding food production and distribution to the nation during this life-altering pandemic.

We look forward to meaningful future engagements with the Minister to address existing challenges facing agricultural workers.

For more information, kindly contact the General Secretary, Mngomezulu Mayoyo - 082 440 4039 or FAWU National President Atwell Nazo on 079 892 4896. Released by Media Liaison Officer, Dominique Martin -082 498 5631                                                                              

FAWU Mourns Tragic Passing of Denzel Skweyiya

It is with great sadness that FAWU has learnt of the passing of Comrade Denzel Skweyiya. It has been reported that the Toyota sedan he was driving in collided with a BMW in a horrible accident that occurred on the N2 Highway between King Williams’ Town and Mdansane last Friday evening. 


Comrade Denzel joined FAWU in the early 90’s having been absorbed through FAWU’s decision that it must be at the forefront to absorb cadres who were coming from exile. This conscious decision was to strengthen the collective revolutionary work of communities, the ANC and the SACP, Unions and the entire Mass Democratic Movement. The process was led by Ray Alexander Simons who is credited to be the resource behind the formation of FAWU - known as Food and Canning Workers’ Union (FCWU) at the time of its formation. 


Comrade Denzel received military training as an MK combatant during the liberation struggle. He also worked with many giants of our revolution in his return such as Professor Simons and many others. Cde Denzel received capacity within and abroad and during his return from Lusaka joined FAWU through South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU). Denzel is one of many comrades who, upon his return from exile, worked on the ground in communities to build the structures of the ANC and those of the Communist Party. He was passionate about strong and vibrant structures of the Alliance that worked together towards a successful overthrow of the apartheid system. He worked for FAWU’s Finance Department at its head office in Gugulethu in Cape Town for many years. He assisted the union in establishing progressive and well-structured financial mechanisms and principles, which conforms to International accounting standards. 

Comrade Skweyiya will be remembered by many for his contributions to the union and for sponsoring views that advance the strength of the union particularly in terms of establishing co-ordinating structures and systems that strongly supported its Constitutional structures. He was also known for his international work in terms of reaching out to other worker organisations and promoting worker-to-worker contact around the globe. He will be remembered for advocating self-sufficiency in the administration of FAWU. 

Comrade Skweyiya understood that every sphere of life is a site of struggle and so he extended his abilities and financial acumen and became a Chief Financial Officer in the Eastern Cape Provincial Government. FAWU extends it sincere condolences to the Skweyiya family, communities, to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport and many activists as we have lost a humble thinking tank in the political, organisational and many other spheres. 

May his soul rest in eternal peace!

Issued by FAWU General Secretary Mngomezulu Mayoyo - 082 440 4039 mngomezulu.mayoyo@fawu.org.za

COVID-19 Guidelines For FAWU Members

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.

FAWU CALLS FOR BETTER PROTECTION OF NURSES AND FOOD WORKERS

The Food and Allied Workers' Union fully supports the Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union's(YNITU) call for better protection for the many nurses, doctors and other health care workers at the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic whom have not even been addressed in President Cyril Ramaphosa's speech last night. 

We are of the view that our nurses and other health care workers face increasingly stressful situations as they continue to perform their job amidst the onslaught of the corona virus pandemic. These nurses should not be overlooked as they are vulnerable and at the frontline of battling COVID-19 in medical facilities. Therefore, they must be protected, equipped and supported during these unprecedented times and economic hardships. We therefore agree that these nurses should at least enjoy an income tax break and danger allowance as means of motivation in this fight against a raging pandemic. In addition, FAWU demands the same for food sector workers across the value chain who are turning up for work every day and who face the risk of exposure to the coronavirus as they have to interact with multiple individuals in their factories or with customers in retailer stores all over South Africa. They should be protected as they are on the frontline working hard to ensure ordinary citizens have access to food every day.

It is a reality that our health care workers and food workers are from poorer communities and deserve some form of financial relief. Personal protective equipment should be mandatory for all workers on the frontline and we demand to see this in every grocery store and other food manufacturing plants. We have witnessed inreased incidents of supermarkets closing down as a result of staff testing positive for COVID-19. We thus reiterate our call to retailers to adhere to all precautionary measures during this coronavirus pandemic. We want to continue to encourage employers to pay a special bonus or appreciation bonus to frontline workers and we wish to thank those employers who have committed to such benefit. 

 For more information call FAWU General Secretary Mngomezulu Mayoyo on 082 440 4039 or FAWU National President Atwell Nazo on 079 892 4896.

FAWU Calls For Ban Of Unsafe Transport of Farm Workers After De Doorns Accident

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union condemns the horrific accident that occurred on the N1 near De Doorns on 7 April that led to the serious injuries and deaths of several farm workers who were on their way to work at Buffelskraal farm from the Touws River area. FAWU visited the families of the affected workers in Touws River to sympathise with their loved ones and we are glad that the employer will assist with funeral arrangements of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. FAWU has for many years called out to government to establish regulations for safer modes of transportation for farm workers as we have seen too many accidents like these over the past few decades. It is morally incomprehensible that the government to this day, do not put in place harsher rules to ensure safer transportation for these vulnerable workers. It is also disappointing that government did not enforce the same lock down guidelines in terms of transportation of farm workers which are applied to other forms of transport during the COVID19 pandemic. We call on the relevant ministries to address the issue. Our government needs to understand that they need to engage pro-actively when it comes to vulnerable workers . We cannot simply wait for disasters to happen and then still fail to take the necessary precautionary measures. Farm owners need to ensure that the transport is fit and properly maintained . They are responsible for appointing truck drivers and arrange the transportation - it therefore becomes their responsibility to see that their driver is fit, competent and knowledgeable about safety issues to drive and have an appropriate licence permit. Farm workers are exposed to a hazardous working environment, they often lack proper hygiene and sanitation on the farms where they work and in light of the seriously contagious COVID 19 disease , it is even more important than ever to increase precautionary measures against this pandemic. Workers often express to us their concerns and we as a union take it up with the employer but many of them resist and prefers to cut costs rather than to spend money on safety issues such as these. Many times the issue goes unreported since union officials rely on workers to report this. When we do become aware of unsafe transportation , we report it to the labour inspectors who needs to address this with the employer. FAWU has seen these types of accidents time and time again. The government has to get more serious with transport safety regulations pertaining to farm workers . FAWU and other activists have been crying out for the last decade for the government to attend to this critical issue and yet here we are again dealing with the same issue. Nevertheless, FAWU will persevere with its campaign for safer transport. We will continue to report those who still practice carrying workers over the limit capacity and at the back of open trucks. Workers are seasonal workers and most are poor families who are completely devastated by this tragic accident as most rely on seasonal work for a living. Workers in the food sector and farm workers are performing a vital service during this lock down as they are at the front lines of food production and aids in maintaining food security in South Africa. Most of them are worried as they have suddenly been deemed essential workers yet still continue to earn low wages and remain vulnerable as they cannot even afford or gain access to personal protective equipment during this time of the COVID-19 disease. Released by FAWU media liaison officer, Dominique Martin – 082 498 5631

Health and Jobs At Risk During Covid-19 Lock Down

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union(F.A.W.U.) has noted that the instruction by the President Ramaphosa for a 21-day lockdown has led to the initiative between business formations and the government to establish measures to curb the spread of corona virus. It appears however that this has, in turn, opened an avenue for employers to put workers at risk in terms of their health, with some even risking losing their jobs. FAWU also noted that several companies all of a sudden claimed to be manufacturing key food products that must operate during the lockdown. It is even more disconcerting that trade unions and workers were not consulted during this process seeing the uncertainty workers faced after the announcement of the lockdown. We are receiving many calls from members who, initially, flowing from the ministerial briefing, were made aware that there will be no operation of non-essential products or services. Given the fact that certain businesses were granted access to apply for exclusion from the 21 days lock-down, even those with non-key products/services applied and were granted permits. While businesses were making applications on the eve of the lockdown, most employees already went to their homes in various provinces. By the time these businesses were granted exemption to operate, some forced their workers to come back to work while those employees were already home and were unable to travel back to work. FAWU condemns the fact that these workers are now faced with disciplinary actions which means there is a real threat that they could lose their jobs. The certificate issued by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, leaves it for the employers to authorize employees and thus employees are intimidated to either lose their jobs or come back to work. The major crisis begins on the following, 1. All initiatives by employers in their application including government granting employers permission to operate during lock- down , were done without consulting trade unions or workers; 2. Employees are forced to work during lockdown period without any protective gear and effective hygienic measures to curb the spread of corona virus; 3. Employees are forced to find transport on their own and are subject to discipline if they do not arrive at work. This in fact means workers must go back to congested areas posing a risk to their health, of which the same government has been advising the public against; 4. Employees are forced to take their annual leave and those who conform to quarantine are forced to take sick leave; 5. Some employers treat cases of employees who are not at work and adhered to the call of President Ramaphosa, as unauthorized absenteeism and want to discipline their employees; 6. Workers are forced to apply for relief on their own thereby exposing them to a process where they will have to use their own time and risk infection; 7. Most of our members have spent all their money on food and home necessities in order to comply with the President’s instruction during the 21 days lock-down and barely have money for transport; 8. More than 200 workers from those large companies allowed to operate,will be obligated to disregard hygienic requirement such as social distancing to lessen the risk of being infected and infecting their families during their travel, to and from work. FAWU vehemently condemns actions of employers who prioritise profits at the expense of the lives of food sector workers. The announcement by the President was to protect the lives of all people in South Africa and workers in the food industry are no exception to this call. By disregarding the call by the President particularly on the measure to curb the spread of COVID19, some employers are contributing to oppose all what the country is doing to deal with this pandemic. FAWU CALLS UPON THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING, ▪ To stop all applications by companies without the involvement of the unions or workers; ▪ To involve all relevant departments before any decision to grant companies to operate such as Department of Health, Department of Transport, Department of Employment & Labour; ▪ The government must obligate employers who are yet to be granted to make commitment to follow all precautionary measures to protect their employees from the risk of being infected of which such measures must first be tested by the Department of health and the Department of Employment and Labour with the involvement of Unions/workers; ▪ The government must obligate employers to apply for relief funds on behalf of employees and not employees applying on their own; ▪ The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission must invite all employers who have been granted to operate to formally declare a reversal of all the above initiatives to dismiss or adversely affect terms and conditions of all workers in the food sectors as they are currently using the same certificate issued by the organ of the government. In the event they do not, the CIPC should withdraw the certificate to grant employers to operate; FAWU has a record of all companies that subjected members to unfair working conditions and we will seek intervention of the government on those employers who were granted permit to operate despite not being announced as essential or key operators. We therefore appeal to employers not to exploit workers during this time before FAWU embarks on a process of publicly name and shaming of all those companies engaged in unfair conduct. For more information, feel free to contact the writer on the below contact. Mayoyo Mngomezulu FAWU General Secretary- 082 440 4039, mngomezulu.mayoyo@fawu.org.za