Albany workers demand jobs back after reapplication issue

SABC News reports that disgruntled employees of Albany in Virginia in the Free State are demanding their jobs back after they did not re-apply for their jobs as required by the end of December last year. The workers whose service ranges from 10 to 25 years claim poor communication from labour brokers which led to them not re-applying. More than 35 workers are affected and want to be reabsorbed.

Retrenched worker, Xolile Mjezu has 15 years of service. “I’ve worked for labour brokers for 14 years, then there’s a process of me being hired permanent. When I have to be hired permanent, I been told to reapply for my job that I have been working for 15 years. Now they want to recruit me behind the workers saying that I do qualify as they see the workers are striking.” “I have been working here for 25 years, I have never been permanent. Each time I have to be hired permanent there are issues. We have been working here as slaves for a long time they overpower us. When you question things they dismiss you. There’s a lot of threats. A lot of people that you see here have long service of working here,” adds Lucky Ntikane a retrenched employee.

Community leaders have called on the company to reconsider its decision and hire the retrenched workers permanently. In a written response, Tiger Brands says it recently awarded a new contract for providing temporary employment solutions at certain bakeries and depots forming part of its Bakeries business unit. This followed an extensive request for a proposals process that was managed in line with the company’s procurement and relevant governance processes. The new contract is effective 1 January 2025.

by Aphumelele Mdlalane

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *