About 3,500 employees stand to lose their jobs since the announcement was made last month.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said that the proposed closure of the Fruit Products Western Cape plant will be a test of whether the provincial government and local municipalities are prepared to protect workers’ livelihoods.
The National Coloured Congress agreed, describing the planned shutdown as more than an isolated incident.
It said that the move reflects broader failures to support communities and deliver on the province’s Growth for Jobs strategy.
Meanwhile, Freedom Front Plus MPL Grant Marais has called on the Western Cape government to share how it will assist the province’s agro-processing sector.
“The Freedom Front Plus calls for a broader strategy to protect agricultural production,” he said.
Al Jama-ah called on the provincial government to stop the closure, arguing that it would jeopardise long-term contracts already in place with suppliers.
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Winde said the provincial government is committed to supporting businesses through skills development, improved market access and efforts to reduce trade barriers.
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Camray Clarke
www.ewn.co.za