Thousands of Festive Chicken workers, a subsidiary of Astral Foods, have embarked on an indefinite strike in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, demanding a monthly wage of R13,500.
In a press statement dated 29 October 2026, the workers said some employees earn as little as R5,600 a month despite working 45-hour weeks and having several years of service with the company.
The workers have also raised concerns about conditions on Festive Chicken farms, alleging that some employees work 48-hour weeks for R7,300 a month without overtime pay for Sunday and public holiday work.
The strike affects workers at the company’s production facilities, including its largest production factory at 17 Industry Road in Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Gauteng. The facility reportedly processes approximately 2.3 million chickens a week.
Chicken catchers and workers involved in live-bird handling have also joined the strike. They collect chickens from private and company farms across the province and beyond.
The workers say the strike is protected and intend to approach communities and members of the public to call for a boycott of Festive Chicken products.
Workers Accuse Employer of Intimidation
The striking workers have accused management and supervisors of intimidating employees ahead of the industrial action.
According to their statement, after workers issued a 48-hour strike notice, the employer allegedly circulated letters threatening dismissal and describing the strike as unprotected.
The workers further allege that employees were called in individually and asked to sign documents agreeing not to participate in the strike, with warnings that they could face dismissal if they proceeded.
The statement also alleges that the company advertised job opportunities through labour brokers, prompting dozens of unemployed people to apply for positions at one workplace while existing employees were preparing to strike.
The workers cite Section 67(4) of the Labour Relations Act, which provides protection against dismissal for participating in a protected strike.
Lawyers for Human Rights, acting on behalf of the workers, reportedly sent Festive Chicken a letter on Wednesday night warning the company to stop the alleged intimidation.
The organisation warned that it would approach the president of the Labour Court for an urgent hearing on Thursday if the alleged conduct continued.
The allegations were made by the striking workers. Responses from Festive Chicken and Astral Foods were not included in the statement.
Workers Question Pay Gap Between Employees and CEO
The workers have also pointed to Astral Foods’ dividend payments and executive remuneration to highlight what they describe as a disparity between employees’ wages and the company’s financial rewards.
According to the statement, Astral paid R342 million in dividends to shareholders between October 2025 and March 2026.
The workers also cited Astral Foods’ 2025 annual report, which they say records that chief executive Gary Arnold earned R27.9 million before tax for the financial year ending September 2025.
Arnold became CEO on 1 February 2025, according to the statement.
The workers argue that the reported remuneration highlights the gap between executive pay and the earnings of employees working in the company’s production and farming operations.
They maintain that their demand for R13,500 a month is necessary to improve their livelihoods.
“The workers deserve R13,500 per month and cannot continue to survive on R5,600 per month!” the statement reads.
The strike is expected to put pressure on the company as workers seek improved wages and raise concerns about working conditions.
Festive Chicken is associated with Astral Foods’ chicken brands, including Festive fresh chicken, Goldi frozen chicken and County Fair products, which are supplied to supermarkets and fast-food chains.
