By Anita Dangazele
- Workers in East London and Gqeberha will lose jobs as the company struggles with lost contracts worth billions.
- This follows 134 jobs already cut when eyedrops factory closed earlier this year after contamination warnings.
Almost 1,000 Aspen workers now face losing their jobs. The pharmaceutical company announced 923 new cuts on top of 208 jobs already lost this year.
The company sent workers and unions a formal notice. General manager Branson Bosman said rising costs and lost contracts left them no choice.
This hits families in East London and Gqeberha hardest. Aspen employs more than 2,500 people in these cities.
The company lost a R2-billion contract. It also had to close its eyedrops factory in Gqeberha after US health officials warned about contamination risks.
Union organiser Karools Adams from Ceppwawu said they are still fighting the first round of job cuts. He accused Aspen of starting new cuts while the earlier dispute continues.
Workers and unions will meet at the labour court on 11 September. They want to stop the cuts or get better deals for families losing income.
Other big companies are also cutting jobs this year. Goodyear shut its Kariega factory and cut 900 jobs. Steel company ArcelorMittal, mining company Glencore and Ford also announced cuts.
Aspen spokesperson Shauneen Beukes refused to comment on the job cuts. Bosman told unions no date has been set yet. The final number depends on talks with unions and what the business needs.
Pictured above: Aspen Pharmacare factory in Gqeberha.
Image source: Aspen Pharma
