Cape Town - The SA Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) has welcomed the findings of a City-funded project aimed at reducing employee absenteeism in the manufacturing sector.
Launched in March in partnership with leading clothing manufacturers representing more than 6 000 employees, Project Present invested over 600 hours in training 104 leaders and front-line workers, equipping them with the tools to cultivate consistent attendance and improve workplace outcomes across the industry.
Mayco member for economic growth James Vos said since its launch, Project Present has helped businesses reduce absenteeism by 11.34% from the 2023 benchmark.
“This translates to a recovery of 1.2 million minutes of production time and a direct cost-saving of R1.11 million across participating factories.
“We are honoured to support a programme that not only enhances productivity but also ensures the future of Cape Town’s clothing and textile industry,” Vos said.
“In 2023, Cape Town was the source of an estimated 100 million clothing and textile units. It should further be noted that this industry contributes around R3.1 billion to the city’s economy while supporting nearly 24 000 jobs.
“Ultimately, programmes such as Project Present lead to more motivated employees and a more competitive clothing and textile industry that will further bolster our economy. This isn’t just good for the sector; it’s good for the city as a whole. When we invest in our people, the returns ripple through every corner of Cape Town,” Vos said.
The project also saw the City partner with the National Bargaining Council’s health care fund, as illness during winter was noted as a driver of absenteeism. Through the collaboration, 627 workers received vaccinations.
Sactwu National Collective Bargaining officer of Learning, Fachmy
Abrahams, said the union was involved in the project from the start.
“We are aware and we are encouraged by the findings. We attended the report, which was held this past Friday at the City Hall, where we made our comments.
“While we are encouraged by the outcome of what is a pilot project, we make the point that you cannot overcome the challenges of absenteeism without addressing the socio-economic circumstances that are faced by workers.
“We also made the point that while designs are encouraging, these workers are still having to dodge bullets on their way to work. These workers sit at the machines during the day and when they hear these gang violence shootings, the productivity levels are immediately impacted.
“Our industry is consistent with a majority of female employees and about 80% to 85% of all people in the manufacturing industry are women. A large percentage of these workers are single moms looking after their kids and extended families,” Abrahams said.
Cape Argus