Bitter, not sweet! Strikers call for Mister Sweet boycott
Organisations in solidarity with striking Mister Sweet workers have called for a consumer boycott while the company seeks an interdict.23 community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations are calling for the boycotting of Mister Sweet products during a strike by workers at its Wadeville factory which is entering its fourth week. The workers have been on strike action since the 19th of August and are demanding a living wage of R19,500.
Mister Sweet produces gums, jellies, marshmallows, licorice, chocolate-coated treats, and other sweets, and employs about 600 workers at the factory. The workers, supported by Simunye Workers Forum, have protested outside the factory since they decided to down tools. “I am currently earning R6,000 which is very little and not enough to cover my individual and family’s ongoing normal expenses,” said Zintle Buthelezi. Buthelezi, a packer from Buhle Park, said further that they are not going to stop the strike until Mister Sweet concedes to their demand for a living wage. Most permanent workers at the factory support the strike, she said, but the company had hired labour broker workers to undermine workers’ unity.
Malusi Tukela, a machine operator who is originally from Limpopo told Elitsha that he has been working for Mister Sweet for 10 years and is tired of super exploitation. “Our major demand is money, good working conditions and justice. Andrew, our boss, is still racist and the machines we are using in the factory are dangerous. Recently, one of our colleague’s hands was cutoff by the machine. We don’t have medical aid, and our provident fund is very low,” said Tukela.
