Festive Chicken workers allege unhygienic conditions and inadequate protective gear

Workers at Festive Chicken, an Astral Foods division, allege unsafe and unhygienic conditions amid an ongoing strike. One employee says staff across nine shifts sometimes share uniforms and protective equipment that have gone unwashed for up to three days after a washing machine broke down. Workers also cite freezing conditions, dust, workplace injuries, long hours and job insecurity. Connie Masekwameng, an organiser with the Casual Worker Advice Office, says some employees fear raising grievances because of concerns about their jobs.