WATCH: Poor service, alleged bribery spark outrage at Alberton labour office
Frustrated residents report days of waiting, cold queues, and staff unresponsiveness while UIF claims are delayed.
Residents from Alberton and the surrounding areas who visited the Department of Labour office in Alberton have complained about poor service from the staff.
Residents claim the security guards accept bribes from some people in the queue to get them through quicker, pushing them ahead of others. There are also complaints about staff being rude to the public.
@albertonrecord Residents from Alberton and the surrounding areas who visited the Department of Labour office in Alberton have complained about poor service from the staff. Residents claim the security guards accept bribes from some people in the queue to get them through quicker, pushing them ahead of others. There are also complaints about staff being rude to the public. The Alberton Record visited the office to understand the situation and the residents’ complaints and found that some had been returning to the office since April 11 and were not helped until five days later. Read full story on albertonrecord.co.za
The Alberton Record visited the office to understand the situation and the residents’ complaints and found that some had been returning to the office since April 11 and were not helped until five days later.
By managing the UIF, the department is instrumental in helping the unemployed get financial assistance. The department assists employees who need to claim UIF payments.
Frustrated member Chantal Goldswain, who has been at the office since April 14 to sign for a payment, says since her first visit, she had stood for eight hours a day with no help or feedback from the staff.
@albertonrecord Viewer discretion advised: Strong language: “This is bullsh*t!” Frustrated member Chantal Goldswain, who has been at the office since April 14 to sign for a payment, says since her first visit, she had stood for eight hours a day with no help or feedback from the staff. “This is a disgrace. Our people come here to stand in the cold from 08:00 to 16:00, and the gate closes on you. No correspondence. No one comes out to tell us if there is a problem with the system or if they are upgrading. They had an upgrade to their system last November,” she said. The elderly and women with children queue in the cold, hoping the department will help them. Read full story on albertonrecord.co.za
“This is a disgrace. Our people come here to stand in the cold from 08:00 to 16:00, and the gate closes on you. No correspondence. No one comes out to tell us if there is a problem with the system or if they are upgrading. They had an upgrade to their system last November,” she said.
The elderly and women with children queue in the cold, hoping the department will help them.
“If you go to the security for assistance, he tells you the supervisor will speak to you. Since I’ve been coming to the offices, I haven’t seen the supervisor. When 15:45 comes, they chase all the people out and close the gates. It is an acceptable,” Goldswain added.
Another frustrated resident, Thabo Moreroa from Vosloorus, said one staff member told him that if he had a problem with the queues, he should tell the government to employ other staff. Goldswain supported the statement.
@albertonrecord Another frustrated resident, Thabo Moreroa from Vosloorus, said one staff member told him that if he had a problem with the queues, he should tell the government to employ other staff. Goldswain supported the statement. Read full story on albertonrecord.co.za
“If they have problems with the government, they should sort it. It should not be our problem. We are asking for them to come outside, not sit in their offices, and ask us how they can assist us because sometimes we just queue, and when you reach the consultant, they tell you don’t have all the correct documents,” Moreroa expressed.
Residents want to know why it takes three days and eight hours a day to get a document signed to receive a payment. They said there should be a constant movement inside.
The Alberton Record visited the department’s office to speak to the supervisors, but they couldn’t provide any information.
They informed the Record that the person who must respond is provisional spokesperson Sekhothali Lerotholi.
Sekhothali was phoned in our journalist’s presence and said the journalist had to call her to enquire.
Surprisingly, during the phone call with the supervisor, she asked what the media was doing there in an annoyed tone.
The journalist tried to phone her, but she deliberately hung up the phone four times.
WATCH: Residents protest against poor service delivery at the Department of Labour
