The entrance to Coronation Dam was a sea of orange and blue overalls this morning when unhappy municipal workers were waiting to be addressed by the Mogale City Local Municipality Executive Mayor.
“We are striking because we need permanent posts,” said one of the women.
She explained that most of the workers have been working for the municipality for more that seven years without being appointed permanently.
All of the more than 100 strikers claim they are casual workers whose short-term contracts are renewed every three to four months.
“We want permanent positions – nothing more and nothing less,” she explained.
The workers have been waiting there since 7am and said they would not leave until they have spoken to someone in authority. They claimed to have had similar discussions with municipal officials last year, but never received feedback about any of their grievances.
“We are fed up,” said another worker.
They have, however, been notified that their short-term contracts will be coming to an end on 28 June, and have no idea why.
Some of strikers said that by not being permanently employed they do not have the assurance that they will be able to look after their families. They also hope that permanent employment will bring better pay and unemployment benefits.
“This is not a salary; we get paid R130 a day,” said another woman.
Some said that money is being deducted towards the unemployment fund every month but according to the Department of Labour they do not have unemployment benefits.
“We will wait as long as it takes – till they come and talk to us,” shouted another fed up worker.
Mogale City’s Corporate Communications department was approached for comment, but there has not been any response yet.
