Angry workers block road in protest for better wages
The workers say their employers are unwilling to consider a wage increase.
ROSEHAUGH – The police had to be summoned last Monday morning to disperse protesting employees from the Densa Sawmill in Rosehaugh who blocked the Sabie Road with large burning pieces of wood.
On Wednesday the protest had spread to the White River sawmill. Their colleagues also downed tools and took to the streets to demand a better wage. On Thursday protests were still continuing at both these mills.
Motorists using the road between Sabie and Mbombela experienced a minor headache on Monday morning. Some claimed that protesters were throwing stones at vehicles.
Trucks doing business between the two areas were left stranded due to the blockages.
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The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) members took to the streets to protest against an alleged unwillingness by their employers to consider a wage increase.
They agreed to clear the road after mediation by the Nelspruit SAPS. Wage talks between the two parties were unsatisfactory last week and the employees decided to down tools.
Amcu’s shop steward at the company, Mr Ernest Shabangu, said their employer did not want to listen to their demands.
“They are only willing to give us a 78 cent increase and we think that is not enough. They said that’s all they can give us,” he said.
According to Shabangu, the current minimum wage is R2 800 a month and they are demanding an increase to at least R5 000 as that would enable them to support their families.
“We make a lot of money for the company yet we are paid peanuts. They don’t want to give us what we are worth,” he said.
Shabangu said they had engaged the employer in the past but no agreement was reached. The workers understood it was illegal to block the road. “We feel that our voices are not heard, maybe if we cause disruption we will be taken seriously,” he said.
They added they would continue with protest action until the company meets their demands.
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Lowvelder called the employer, identified as Mr Willie Stander by the employees, to obtain comment but the response from the company was that it was not ready to comment on the issue. The company added that it was busy devising ways to resolve the dispute.
