Outrage as Premier Foods proposes closure of Tulbagh fruit canning plant
Workers and community members rally against Premier Foods' proposed Tulbagh plant closure, fearing devastating impacts on local jobs and the economy.
On Thursday, workers, residents, and trade unions protested outside Premier Foods' Tulbagh fruit canning plant in Cape Winelands, expressing their anger over the company's plans to close the facility. The plant, which processes up to 60,000 tonnes of fruit annually and purchases produce worth R300 million from local farmers, is facing closure due to proposed Section 189 consultations.
Cosatu Western Cape Secretary Malvern de Bruyn denounced the move, stating the company's proposed closure is driven by greed, prioritising executive bonuses over workers' livelihoods and community economic survival. The proposed closure would eliminate approximately 3,500 permanent and seasonal factory jobs, over 2,000 permanent farm worker positions, and affect around 200 commercial fruit producers and their suppliers.
De Bruyn further alleged that Premier Foods intends to breach existing supply agreements with farmers, leaving them with unsold fruit after their investments. The federation also pointed out that Premier Foods breached its merger conditions by not honouring three-year supply contracts with producers. Cosatu has called on Premier Foods to halt the consultation process, respect existing agreements, and explore alternatives to the closure.
If the company moves forward with the closure, Cosatu threatens to escalate the matter through community mobilisation and legal action.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
