MORE than 180 jobs hang in the balance after the owner of Slam Clothing factory announced plans to move his business to KwaZulu-Natal.
Slam Clothing boss Harry Keogh said the Wilsonia-based company was not the employer, but a client to 184 Siyenza co-operative members.
He said that as a result, Slam Clothing had no obligation to observe those involved in the co-operative as employees.
Department of Labour spokeswoman Ziphozihle Josefu yesterday confirmed the dispute but said the department would respond to media queries after receiving a response from their Mdantsane representative.
Zoliswa Faltein said they had been “worked to the bone” for wages of R300 a week. They keep increasing our targets and we are even prevented from going to the toilet at certain times.
“They told us we have rights, the material they buy belongs to us. But now that they are leaving, they take them and claim it’s theirs.”
Nokulunga Klaas said they had signed documents when they started work in 2010, but never received copies.
“When we asked what we were signing they said we are members.”
The workers staged a protest on Monday and yesterday after being locked out, but Keogh said Siyenza Co-operative had failed to furnish an action plan detailing how they would meet the targets.
Keogh yesterday said his “stuff” was all packed up and ready for shipping to KwaZulu-Natal.
Shipping containers could be seen on the premises, however, the Daily Dispatch was not able to establish what was inside.
“I am the provider of CMT to this co-operative. I am taking my stuff to Natal where I can actually produce cheaper.
“The whole came about as a result of poor performance. I am not able to recover my overheads in terms of rent and electricity because the performance has been too poor,” said Keogh.
Keogh said Slam Clothing, which produces workwear, had suffered a shortfall of more than R450000 between March and August this year.
“How do I continue on that basis if I can’t recover my costs? I don’t need them and I will gladly send my stuff away and they can do their business wherever they want.”
Keogh wrote to a committee representing workers and the board of directors on Friday, asking for a plan of action on how to turn-around the situation.
Trade union South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) representative Thandile Maliti claimed Keogh yesterday tore up a letter he had assisted the workers to draft. — siyam@dispatch.co.za
Jobs on line as factory reveals plans to move
Slam Clothing boss Harry Keogh said the Wilsonia-based company was not the employer, but a client to 184 Siyenza co-operative members.
He said that as a result, Slam Clothing had no obligation to observe those involved in the co-operative as employees.
Department of Labour spokeswoman Ziphozihle Josefu yesterday confirmed the dispute but said the department would respond to media queries after receiving a response from their Mdantsane representative.
Zoliswa Faltein said they had been “worked to the bone” for wages of R300 a week. They keep increasing our targets and we are even prevented from going to the toilet at certain times.
“They told us we have rights, the material they buy belongs to us. But now that they are leaving, they take them and claim it’s theirs.”
Nokulunga Klaas said they had signed documents when they started work in 2010, but never received copies.
“When we asked what we were signing they said we are members.”
The workers staged a protest on Monday and yesterday after being locked out, but Keogh said Siyenza Co-operative had failed to furnish an action plan detailing how they would meet the targets.
Keogh yesterday said his “stuff” was all packed up and ready for shipping to KwaZulu-Natal.
Shipping containers could be seen on the premises, however, the Daily Dispatch was not able to establish what was inside.
“I am the provider of CMT to this co-operative. I am taking my stuff to Natal where I can actually produce cheaper.
“The whole came about as a result of poor performance. I am not able to recover my overheads in terms of rent and electricity because the performance has been too poor,” said Keogh.
Keogh said Slam Clothing, which produces workwear, had suffered a shortfall of more than R450000 between March and August this year.
“How do I continue on that basis if I can’t recover my costs? I don’t need them and I will gladly send my stuff away and they can do their business wherever they want.”
Keogh wrote to a committee representing workers and the board of directors on Friday, asking for a plan of action on how to turn-around the situation.
Trade union South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) representative Thandile Maliti claimed Keogh yesterday tore up a letter he had assisted the workers to draft. — siyam@dispatch.co.za
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