WORKERS at a food company that supplies one of the country’s top retailers want an urgent investigation into allegations of "exploitative and poor" working conditions.
The call comes amid a dispute between In2Food and 1 300 workers at the Strand branch which led to a strike action, affecting production.
The company confirmed that it was not able to deliver "short shelf-life" food products to Woolworths as a result of the strike action this week.
But it maintained that the impact was "minimised".
The National Certificated Fishing & Allied Workers Union (NCFAWU) said workers, the majority of whom were women, complained of long working hours, which they regarded as "abuse and suppression of rights".
The union’s spokesperson Llowellyn Domingo said although they received a notice of strike action on November 23, workers decided to engage in negotiations with the company to avert the action.
"However, the company implemented a lock-out on November 27 instead of further engaging with the workers on their demands", said Domingo.
The company was granted an interdict on December 2 and workers were instructed to return to work the following day.
Domingo said the demands were "valid and of concern " as the workers were made to work from 7.30am to 11pm with "few breaks" in between; no transport services, a "unilateral" implementation of a salary increase and allegations of "mistreatment" of workers by some supervisors.
"The country is currently observing 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children yet some employees at In2Food are being subjected to conditions which can be regarded as abusive.
"After working those long hours, some have to walk home at midnight because they are not being provided with transport. This does not only put their lives at risk but they do not get time to spend with their families," said Domingo.
The company also implemented a 4% salary increase without opening negotiations with the union, he said.
A community activist, Simphiwe Mqulwana, said the workers brought their concerns to the community as they had reached a "deadlock" with the company.
"We arranged for the workers to be escorted home after work as their lives were in danger. But we also engaged with the company so that the matter can be resolved," said Mqulwana.
Company spokesperson Eswhin Booysen said the company's working hours were in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and employees worked on a shift system.
However, Domingo rejected the claim and said workers worked more than the legislated eight hours a day, with no remuneration for overtime.
"All our businesses undergo independent third party audits that continually confirm that labour practices go beyond those legally required," said Booysen.
He added that the company was aware of the "many challenges that our colleagues face" and would engage in an open and constructive manner, to find solutions that worked best for all stakeholders.
Domingo said the union would now approach the Department of Labour and Woolworths to conduct an inspection and investigation into the company's labour relations and working conditions.
Woolworths had not responded at the time of going to print.