Management of Msukaligwa Local Municipality averted a possible tools-down last Thursday in the Technical Department over uniforms and safety equipment.
Two weeks ago, employees threatened to down tools if management did not respond to their calls for proper uniforms and safety equipment among other things listed in a memorandum of grievances submitted to management.
In a checkmate move, the municipality sent out a request for tender for the procurement of the uniforms which date closed on Monday. However, part of the uniform had already been received.
Municipal spokesman Mr Mandla Zwane responded to some of the grievances brought to them by the workers’ union Samwu.
About the municipality’s unroadworthy vehicles, Zwane said management is aware of the situation and the matter is on their priority list.
He also said the municipality had procured the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the first delivery was on 31 March. He noted, however, that issues of Health and Safety are matters of mutual interest and therefore Health and Safety obligations are the responsibility of both management and employees. He also said management raised concerns that some of the protective clothing, including overalls, are worn by non-municipal employees.
Regarding standby and overtime allowances, Mr Zwane said they are regulated by the relevant Act and Agreements.
“The maximum permissible overtime as per section 10 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act is 10 hours in any one week. As per the definitions of the Act a week means the period of seven days within which the working week of that employee ordinarily falls and a day a period of 24 hours measured from the time when the employee normally commences work. Employees earning below the threshold must be paid 1.5 times the normal wage rate for overtime worked, except for Sundays. Overtime on a Sunday must be remunerated at double the normal wage rate. By agreement, the employer may allow an employee paid time off for overtime worked instead of paying the employee. The employee will then be entitled to 90 minutes paid time off for every 60 minutes overtime worked. The referred paid time off must be granted to the employee within one month after working the overtime, but by agreement this period may be extended to 12 months,” said Mr Zwane in an e-mail.
About the staff shortage Mr Zwane said in terms of the municipal staff organogram, there are 854 posts of which 603 are filled, six contract workers, two interns, 52 members in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and 1 200 people in the Community Work Programme (CWP).
The municipality has also budgeted for 90 positions to be filled in the next financial years. They have also appointed three electricians, five traffic officers and an accountant responsible for meter reading and they will commence duty on 1 May.
Mr Zwane also said the selection for 59 EPWP positions has started.
Members of the workers’ union said so far they are satisfied with the progress made and will allow management to look into the outstanding matters at the relevant time.
