Power Up | Labour Research Service

The true value of Volunteer Food Handlers

Four years ago, our group of Volunteer Food Handlers in Gauteng had no collective voice in discussions about their work under the NSNP. In 2024, they advocated for decent work, built allies, and secured real wins. This is their story.

8 months ago

Women’s Day through the eyes of Volunteer Food Handlers

by Nelly Nyagah care work / gender equality / National School Nutrition Programme / precarious employment / volunteer food handlers / women's month

The undervaluation of care work is used to justify precarious employment for women workers in the National School Nutrition Programme.

8 months ago

Unlocking the true value of women’s work in school nutrition

by Matshidiso Lencoasa and Nina Benjamin care work / gender equity / National School Nutrition Programme / precarious employment / UIF benefits / volunteer food handlers / women's month

Recognising the work of the women who feed the learners in our communities is a powerful starting point in valuing care work in society.

12 months ago

Valuing care work: What are the prospects for women in the National School Nutrition Programme?

by Nina Benjamin care economy / care work / National School Nutrition Programme / precarious work / volunteer food handlers

Recognising Volunteer Food Handlers as deserving of decent work is an important starting point for establishing a society that truly values care work.

1 year ago

Access Granted – Volunteer Food Handlers secure UIF benefits in a successful campaign

by Nelly Nyagah care work / National School Nutrition Programme / social protection / volunteer food handlers / vulnerable work / women organising strategies

A group of Volunteer Food Handlers in Gauteng demanded that schools and the labour department ensure timely access to their UIF benefits.

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Fact sheet

by LRS care work / National School Nutrition Programme / social protection / UIF benefits / UIF fact sheet / volunteer food handlers / vulnerable work

Everything a Volunteer Food Handler should know about UIF benefits.

2 years ago

Access denied | A woman worker’s struggle for social protection

by Zanele Chakela care work / informalisation / Power Up! Initiative / precarious employment / volunteer food handlers

This video shows the stark realities of Elizabeth and Lehlohonolo, two working-class people who face an extraordinary challenge – access to their UIF benefits.

2 years ago

VIDEO: A day in the life of Volunteer Food Handler

by Zanele Chakela care work / impact / precarious employment / volunteer food handlers / vulnerable workers

We learn about the issues facing the workers who prepare and serve meals to learners under the National School Nutrition Programme through the eyes of Khuli Gumede, a Volunteer Food Handler in Gauteng.

2 years ago

Volunteer Food Handlers advocate to have their jobs made visible, recognised, valued and remunerated

by Nelly Nyagah care work / informalisation / National School Nutrition Programme / Power Up! Initiative / precarious employment / volunteer food handlers

At a media conference on 29 March, food handlers spoke about their campaign for decent jobs for the more than 60,000 workers recruited by the National School Nutrition Programme to prepare and serve meals in schools countrywide.

2 years ago

Building a campaign to recognise and value the work of Volunteer Food Handlers

by Nina Benjamin care work / informalisation / National School Nutrition Programme / Power Up! Initiative / precarious employment / volunteer food handlers

The workers who cook meals for millions of learners across the country are classified as volunteers and paid a stipend. Recruiting workers as volunteers has become another way of pushing women into unrecognised and low-paid work.

Category: Power Up

The true value of Volunteer Food Handlers

Women’s Day through the eyes of Volunteer Food Handlers

Unlocking the true value of women’s work in school nutrition

Valuing care work: What are the prospects for women in the National School Nutrition Programme?

Access denied | A woman worker’s struggle for social protection

VIDEO: A day in the life of Volunteer Food Handler

Volunteer Food Handlers advocate to have their jobs made visible, recognised, valued and remunerated

Building a campaign to recognise and value the work of Volunteer Food Handlers

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