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The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Western Cape has learnt with shock about the fatal accident at County Fair Poultry Farm in Paarl in the province, which claimed the lives of two workers, where six other workers were also injured. This disturbing accident happened at noon on Sunday, 08 January 2023. The affected workers were working around and inside a pit when they developed breathing difficulties.

We are calling on the Law Enforcement Agencies and the Department of Employment and Labour to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident. Furthermore, these stakeholders must also probe whether there have been any previous similar trends of accidents at the Company. It is also imperative that the Department of Employment and Labour conducts public hearings to get to the root cause of this tragic accident.

COSATU is of the view that the owners and management must be held liable for any injuries and loss of lives of workers in the line of duty. Workers sell their labour and not their lives, and they should not be treated like glorified slaves by greedy employers.

We urge workers to unite in order to ensure that employers do not put profit before the health and safety of workers.

COSATU sends its heartfelt condolences to the families and the colleagues of the deceased workers.

The Federation also wishes the injured workers a speedy recovery.

Issued by COSATU Western Cape