Spar workers down tools over Covid tests
Mdantsane NU13 Spar employees downed tools on Tuesday, demanding to be tested for Covid-19 following a number of suspected cases at the store.
The employees told the Dispatch they knew of six confirmed cases at the store, but they felt certain more people would be found positive if they were tested.
The workers said management told them if they wanted to be tested, loans were available which they would have to pay back.
Tests at private healthcare centres cost R850 each.
However, Spar Eastern Cape MD Angelo Swartz on Tuesday disputed all the allegations, which included staff complaints about not having their own sanitiser and being made to take out loans to pay for tests.
He said “stringent action” in line with the protocols set out by the government had helped the grocery chain limit the “risks of contagion” since the lockdown began.
“The increase in economic activity over the last few months has seen Spar implement even stricter controls and testing to detect any cases of Covid-19 early to prevent any risks of the virus spreading,” said Swartz.
He said after a staff member tested positive on July 3, all protocols were immediately followed and those who were in close contact with the worker had been notified and were self-isolating.
“We can confirm that the affected area was deep-cleaned and sanitised on July 6. We have also, for instance, produced signage throughout the store to communicate the urgent need for social distancing and hand sanitising.
“Mdantsane management is also actively engaging with all staff to address any concerns they may have and to ensure their ongoing safety and wellbeing,” said Swartz.
One of the employees, who works in the store bakery, said staff earned between R2,800 and R5,000 a month, and taking out the loan would put them in further debt.
“They want to give us that amount and deduct it from us when we get paid, but we won’t be able to make ends meet.
“A guy who works in the butchery came out and disclosed to everyone that he was positive,” she said.
“The boss told us — including our shop steward — that there was no need for other people who were in contact with that guy to test because that guy was wearing a mask at work. He said it’s not like we came into contact with his saliva.”
Workers alleged that four people fell ill and two have since gone for tests but their results were not out yet.
“At the front there’s two unconfirmed cases of Covid-19, in the administration office there’s another two positive case of Covid-19.”
She said in the past four days she had shown flu-like symptoms including a sore throat and mild headache but claimed management would not help her.
“I have had a headache for more than four days now and I’m coughing.
“My throat is irritated but my boss told me he’s got nothing to do with anything of that.”
Another employee who works in the butchery section said they were concerned they would infect others.
“Management is not concerned about us. Yes, they fumigate the building once a week but their process does not even take 15 minutes and they are finished. We are still getting infected with this virus.”
Another worker claimed the shop was flouting regulations like having hand sanitiser and temperature scans for workers.
She said: “It’s not surprising to us that more people are testing positive.
“We don’t have the equipment to check for signs when workers report for duty like the scanner to monitor our temperatures or anything like that.
“Even the clocker [fingerprint employee attendance machine] we use — we have to touch it and we don’t have sanitisers to disinfect after touching it.
“You just come in and work and no one cares.”