T &J Products, Mafikeng 11-03-08

 

Cosatu North West press statement on conduct of T & J Products, Mafikeng

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West condemns the attitude of the company, T& J Products, Mafikeng, in whose factory a worker was killed by a machine on 28 February 2008. The federation still stands by its statement that the late Mr. Lesley Koikoi, who was employed for six weeks, was killed by the company which owns the machine and all assets.

Legislation gives instruction to all employers to make sure that machinery and equipment are maintained in a safe condition. It is also the responsibility of the company to make sure that all workers who are employed by your company are trained and safe during working hours and that those who are not trained must not be next to any running machines, which was the case with Mr Koikoi.

Your threats, victimisation, and intimidation of some workers, and using lawyers against the federation, will not stop us fighting against exploitation and oppression. The facts still remains that the worker who was employed for six weeks is gone due to your company's machine.

You will not get the apology you are demanding in the letter you have sent to the federation. Forget it! There will be no apology to your company that continues to oppress and exploit poor workers. The company's good name you are referring to must be reflected in action, not on paper. For example you must stop having females and males using one toilet and workers employed for over 30 years having no benefits.

Your rejection of a meeting with the federation, after initially agreeing to a formal meeting on the day of the tragic accident, will not assist you. Your company will continue to be a project of non-compliance, while workers are dying, losing their fingers and working under bad conditions.

Therefore we are calling for the national Department of Labour to intervene as a matter of urgency.

For more information feel free to call Solly Phetoe, Cosatu North West Provincial Secretary, on 018 462 2406 or 082 304 4055