Fruit workers strike over union recognition

Over 250 Betko Fresh Produce staff in Villiersdorp began their strike on Monday, demanding wage increases, changes to the provident fund, bonuses, and improved employment security. The main issue is whether their union, the National Union for All Sectors (NUFAS), must negotiate with the company. Betko's operations director, Japie Groenewald, stated that NUFAS has only 150 members, representing just 23% of the seasonal workforce, leading the company to believe it doesn't need to engage with the union in collective bargaining.

Groenewald explained that the recognition agreement only allows the union to access the workplace and make membership deductions. However, NUFAS president Mzikayise Mawuwa countered that the union had 195 members before the strike and now has 265, with numbers steadily growing. The dispute centers on the Labour Relations Act's definition of a "representative trade union," which is not clearly outlined.

Groenewald was unavailable for further questions on worker numbers, but Betko's website indicates the company employs roughly 350 local staff in Villiersdorp. One long-term worker, employed by Betko for ten years, stated his take-home pay is around R1,700 per week after deductions, and his wife, also a worker, earns about R1,000 per week.

Most employees are women working in packing, earning approximately R1,000 weekly. The worker explained that wages are insufficient to cover basic needs, leading to the strike. Mawuwa said NUFAS and Betko had previously discussed the dispute through the CCMA, but negotiations reached a deadlock. The union now seeks a headcount of all Betko employees to determine majority support for the strike.

If successful, NUFAS will resume negotiations in September for the current and next years. Groenewald noted that NUFAS approached Betko in September 2025 to negotiate wages, but the company refused due to NUFAS' perceived lack of representation. Betko had since provided a 5% wage increase without renegotiation. Mawuwa claimed workers accepted this condition as long as wages were reevaluated in September.

However, Groenewald said the renegotiation demand was new, and management was hesitant to engage further with NUFAS. Workers are also requesting to choose their own provident fund, unconditional bonuses, and enhanced employment security. A long-term worker claimed that the company's assertion that NUFAS was a minority union motivated more employees to join the strike.