Kelsaf packaging in East London must immediately reinstate expelled NUM members

Press Statement, 28 November 2019

KELSAF PACKAGING IN EAST LONDON MUST IMMEDIATELY REINSTATE EXPELLED NUM MEMBERS

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Eastern Cape Region is disgusted by the decision taken by the East London based packaging wholesale company, Kelsaf Packaging to expel NUM members.

This comes after the company blatantly lied and accused our members of having set the company on fire on Monday.

The NUM members went on a strike on Wednesday (27th November 2019) after all necessary processes were followed demanding the company to make provisions for employees’ provident fund.

Our members are also demanding the provisions of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The PPE is the equipment that will protect the user against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, and safety harnesses.

They also demand the Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value. At this moment drivers and other employees are paid at hugely different rates.

Before the strike action on Wednesday, there were many engagements between the NUM and Kelsaf management with the workers’ demands. Unfortunately, there has not been any significant progress.

“As the NUM leaders in the Eastern Cape, we were informed on Monday morning (25th November 2019) that Kelsaf Packaging was on fire. It is still at an early stage to start pointing fingers on who started the fire because the police are still conducting investigations”, said Mzuvukile Ntenteni, NUM Eastern Cape Regional Secretary.

“But to start now intimidating and/ or single out our members is a problem, and we are prepared to fight for them. NUM members were singled out, they were chased out of the company, and were instructed that they should go to their union as they could see the damage caused at the company”, said Ntenteni.

The NUM will not allow the company to intimidate its members neither be threatened by the management. We call upon the Kelsaf’s management to immediately reverse whatever the decisions taken against our members as we deem such actions as anti-union. Section 23(2)(c) of the country’s constitution provides that every worker has the right to strike.

The NUM members were granted permission to go on strike after reaching a dispute which was facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

For more information, please contact:

Mzuvukile Ntenteni, NUM Eastern Cape Regional Secretary - 066 297 8525

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167