Sugar workers down tools

Tongaat Hulett workers walked off the job outside the company's offices north of Durban on Wednesday, demanding a significant wage hike and additional allowances. The workers, mostly represented by two unions, Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), have been on strike since Monday.

The demand for a 13% wage increase contrasts sharply with the employers' offer of just 5.4%. The protesting workers also seek a monthly transport allowance of R1,000 and a housing allowance of R1,500. Striking workers at Tongaat Hulett stated that only essential employees were permitted to enter the facility, and overall production had been halted since Monday.

The union representing 1,828 of the 5,778 striking workers at Tongaat Hulett stated that they would push for their 13% wage increase if negotiations with the employer fail. The striking workers at Tongaat Hulett are part of a broader industry-wide strike involving a total of 6,043 workers across multiple sugar producers, including Illovo Sugar South Africa's Sezela Mill.

Tongaat Hulett's acting managing director declined to comment directly on the strike, emphasizing the company's active engagement through industry structures as discussions continue. The company hopes to resolve the outstanding issues through the ongoing industrial bargaining process.