140 clothing workers held; SACTWU disturbed

18 Sep '09

1 min read

Approximately 140 clothing workers who are on a legal wage strike have been arrested this morning, in Johannesburg. The workers were peacefully picketing in front of clothing factories in support of their wage demands. Initial information shows the following:

The police arrived and our members offered to dispurse. Before they could do so, police started firing teargas and rubber bullets. Louisah Modikwe, the SACTWU Organiser present at the time, was smacked and manhandled by a police officer. One worker has been taken to hospital. At this stage it is not clear which hospital. Most of the arrested workers are female and have been locked up at Jeppe Police Station in Market Street in Johannesburg. The union has despatched its attorney to the police station but police have refused to discuss anything with him.

SACTWU is disturbed by this development. We call on the police to act with extreme restraint when dealing with our members who are engaged in legitimate, legally sanctioned industrial action and who are exercising their rights peacefully.

SA Clothing and Textile Workers Union

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