EMPD officers angered by overtime pay cuts
Overtime should be provided on the basis of critical need for particular services and emergencies situations. It should not be seen as a normal provision for day-to-day operations.
EMPD officers are frustrated and demanding the reinstatement of their overtime hours after the City of Ekurhuleni officially reduced overtime from 40 to 16 hours per month, effective March 1, as a cost-saving measure.
Officers argue that the city is not considering the reasons behind their overtime requests. On February 27, EMPD officers had planned to picket and hand over a memorandum to the mayor, but the City of Ekurhuleni obtained a court order preventing essential service workers from striking over the cuts and demands to make contract workers permanent.
ALSO READ: Arrested EMPD officers appear in court
The Labour Court ruled that no member of the respondent employed in designated essential services may embark on any strike or conduct in contemplation or furtherance of a strike.
A final ruling is expected on March 20.
Union and officers speak out
Municipal and Essential Services Workers Union of South Africa (MESCU) Secretary-General Vukile Mlungwana criticized the city’s approach, saying that proper consultation was not followed.
“Instead of meeting with unions representing the employees, they took the matter to council.
“Council approved the motion, and employees were informed that the reduced hours would take effect from March 1,” said Mlungwana.
The union has since taken the case to the South African Local Bargaining Council.
An EMPD officer, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern about the financial impact on officers.
“We rely on overtime because our salaries are not enough. You can’t even buy a house on our salary alone.
ALSO READ: Wife of late EMPD officer claims torture
“That overtime covered those shortfalls, and now, with the cuts, that’s around R7 000 gone,” said the officer.
Another officer highlighted the rising cost of living, adding that overtime has always been a crucial financial cushion.
“They first cut it to 32 hours, now 16. That is just unacceptable,” she said.
City explains its decision
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini defended the decision, stating that overtime should not be considered a standard provision.
“Overtime should be provided based on critical need for particular services and emergencies. It should not be seen as a normal provision for day-to-day operations.
“The city cannot have a blank cheque for overtime when it has critical service delivery obligations to the residents of Ekurhuleni,” said Dlamini.
He added that financial constraints influenced the decision.
ALSO READ: EMPD urges road users to be alert during heavy rains
“The city, like many municipalities, is still recovering financially from the impact of Covid-19, which negatively affected the economy and cost many residents their jobs, making it difficult for them to pay for services. This, in turn, has affected our revenue collection and municipal finances,” Dlamini said.
The city is now implementing cost-cutting measures to improve its financial stability.
“We are determined to turn the corner and are trying everything possible to rebuild financial stability. This includes cost reductions and revenue maximisation efforts,” said Dlamini.
These include eliminating catering expenses, reducing contracted services, and optimising internal human resources in key service delivery departments such as energy, water and sanitation, EMPD and waste management.
