Glencarol PTY (LTD), a textile factory in Hammanskraal Babelegi, stand Number 62, at 8th street, employing approximately 700 workers was granted the right of reply by Moretele Times after the allegations made by their workers in the letter written to Moretele times.
The letter explained that workers were being treated unfairly in the factory and also complained about poor safety standards in the operations of machines, abnormal working hours without being paid overtime, not given safety boots, overalls and ear plugs.
The workers also complained that they are not well informed about the policies governing the factory and do not know their rights alleging that most instructions and laws are communicated verbally, and workers have no say in the matter.
The workers complained that in several times employees were dismissed from work for incidents that had not been investigated and that they are being locked up in the yard even during lunch time and they buy food through a fence.
The CEO of Glencarol, Mr Raj Shunmugam, during an interview with Moretele Times, disputed the allegations of the workers and also sought to correct some of the issues raised in the letter.
He said the people that wrote to Moretele Times are individual who are not performing at work and are trying to avoid disciplinary action.
He said Glencarol has implemented a disciplinary code in accordance with the requirements of national legislation and the National Bargaining Council and the company strictly adheres to the terms thereof in respect of all disciplinary issues pertaining to its employees.
The CEO said all employees go through induction on safety protocols and training on how to use the machines to ensure safety. “The workers are all provided with safety shoes and earplugs but sometimes they work without the ear plugs.
“All workers have files on their counseling and couching to encourage them to apply the safety measures but they most often disregard the safety measures themselves,” he said.
He said the reason for locking the gates is because three years ago, the factory was attacked men wielding AK47 machine guns who held the workers at gunpoint. “They beat up the employees and held them to the ground with guns to their heads.
“It took a whole year to counsel employees, we are doing this to protect the workers because we cannot protect them when they are out of the work premises,” Mr Shunmugam said.
He said a subsidized canteen was opened at the factory floor but there was less interest because fewer workers, 50-60 out of 700 workers,used the canteen while the rest prefer the food from the street.
“As a result of previous incidents which threatened the safety and security of the company, employees and the equipment in the factory, Glencarol has implemented an access control and security policy in respect of the factory site in order to protect its employees, its investment in the infrastructure and equipment on the site,” he said.
Mr Shunmugam denied that the health and safety standards do not comply with health standards and said it is not true that the company pays wages and rates that are not compliant with the wage rates agreed in the National Bargaining Council.
He said Glencarol is a certified supplier through the National Bargaining Council and it complies with all the terms of the National Agreement reached in the Bargaining Council pertaining to the industry. As a result, the company is regularly undergoing external audits in respect to its compliance with national laws as well as agreements reached in the National Bargaining Council.
“These audits are conducted by the Department of’ Labour as well as external auditors appointed by Glencarol’s retail customers including audits of aspects such as adherence to Occupational Health and Safety standards and requirements, compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, compliance with the Labour Relations Act and compliance with the National Agreement reached in the National Bargaining Council,” he said.
In respect to overtime, he said overtime hours worked by employees (where necessary) are worked by agreement between Glencarol and the relevant employees.
He said the company pays overtime in accordance with the applicable national legislation as well as the agreement reached with the National Bargaining Council.
Moretele Times noticed that on the salary slip sent by the employees as evidence, overtimes is indicated as paid, contrary to the claims that workers are not paid overtime. Moretele Times sent an email to the workers who wrote to us to clarify the matter and to date they have not responded.