Trade union federation, COSATU, says it’s opposing any plans to shut down the Tiger Brands Canning Factory in Ashton.
The union met with the community of the town, in the Cape Winelands, over the weekend.
That’s where workers and residents expressed unhappiness with the plans to close down the factory.
If the process goes ahead, workers — both permanent and seasonal — will their lose jobs.
Government officials and other stakeholders will continue to meet this week, to find some interventions.
COSATU provincial secretary, Malvern De Bruyn, says the company must be saved.
“It’s not fair that workers must now suffer because of an ill-informed decision of Tiger Brands. COSATU is 100% behind the people of Ashton and the surrounding areas. We’ve told them yesterday that we will support them, we will engage government behind the scenes – to put pressure on them to ensure that they save the company.”
Last week, The province’s Economic Opportunities MEC, Mireille Wenger, said she was deeply concerned by plans to shutdown the factory.
It’s understood that the company has been in discussions with workers over the decision, and Tiger Brands hopes to see a potential buyer.
Wenger says it will be sad to lose the factory as it plays a significant role in the Cape Winelands region by creating jobs.
