Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa plans to cut 680 jobs in a sweeping restructuring, mostly impacting administrative, support, distribution, and cleaning staff.
The company intends to close plants in Bloemfontein and East London, citing financial constraints and changes in industry conditions.
REASONS BEHIND THE DECISION
According to SABC, retrenchment notices under section 189 have been served, though CCBSA insists consultations are still ongoing and no final decisions yet.
Unions such as the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) are pushing back against Coca-Cola. They accuse the company of engaging affected employees without proper union discussions.
The proposed changes have sparked concern over how these cuts could deepen unemployment and affect dependent families.
UNION BACKLASH AND LEGAL CONCERNS
The Food and Allied Workers Union has condemned how the retrenchment process is unfolding. FAWU claims Coca-Cola is approaching individual employees before formal union consultation, a move they say violates labour law
Edwin Mabowa, FAWU’s Deputy General Secretary, told the SABC that the union is deeply disappointed with the way the company is managing the retrenchments.
“Before we could even hold our first meeting with the CCMA, the company went behind our backs and began consulting with employees individually. They are even saying that the first phase is complete and the second phase is already underway,” Mabowa explained.
He further said, “According to us as the union, there is no first or second phase. The company served us with a notice, accompanied by an application to the CCMA for the facilitation of the process, which is only set to begin on the 19th of September.”
IMPACT ON WORKERS AND COMMUNITIES
Job losses on this scale threaten to exacerbate South Africa’s already high unemployment. Cleaning staff and support workers, often among the most vulnerable, are disproportionately affected.
Severance packages are promised, but many fear this won’t cushion the blow.
PUBLIC OUTRAGE ERUPTS ON X AS COCA-COLA ANNOUNCES 600 JOB CUTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
The public has reacted strongly to the news, with many users expressing anger and disappointment at Coca-Cola’s decision.
Meanwhile, several criticiSed the timing of the retrenchments, questioning the company’s handling of the process. At the same time, others sympathized with the workers and their families, who now face an uncertain future.
@B2012_E2012 wrote, “I blame bo my friend Rosinah…. They making their own….even this Black is not the same.”
@Markosonke1 wrote, “So Coca-Cola still has money to sponsor World Cups and put names on cans, but suddenly too expensive to employ Sipho and Sis Dabula.”
@mutuki_MR wrote, “The sad part is that all of us who are employed now are two pay chaque away from poverty and a decision away from retrenched.
@MapetLubisi5122 wrote, “Painful to hear. There’s nothing so painful like losing a job. To all these workers we pray for you to be strong and never lose hope.”
