• Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is considering cutting over 600 jobs.

• This represents nearly 10% of its reported 7,700 employees.

• Discussions are ongoing with the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) regarding the potential layoffs.

The South African bottler of Coca-Cola (Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa - CCBSA) reportedly considers eliminating over 600 jobs. The company sent a note to the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) on Tuesday, September 2, detailing this possibility.

Business Day Live, which reported the information, stated that discussions are ongoing between the company and the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), although no definitive decision has yet been made.

In response to shifts in the industry, Coca-Cola Beverages SA said it plans organizational adjustments that may result in the elimination of certain roles, according to the local daily.

Officially, CCBSA has not detailed the reasons for this move, which would allow it to shed just under 10% of its 7,700 employees listed on its website. Observers suggest the coming months will be decisive. They will show whether the job cuts form part of a broader business restructuring that re-examines its growth prospects in the South African market or if they are more cyclical in nature.

It is important to note that the company has consistently reiterated its ambition to continue quenching consumers' thirst in the rainbow nation, where it has operated since 2016 and runs 13 factories.

In this vein, last July, it inaugurated a new mineral water and energy drink production line in Gauteng province, at a cost of 365 million rand ($21 million).

This article was initially published in French by Espoir Olodo

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum