Workers protected, says Dolphin Coast landfill management

Dolphin Coast Landfill Management and Stratogo have refuted claims by employees that the companies had not provided them with personal protective equipment (PPE) at the New Guelderland landfill site.

Employees went on an unprotected strike on Friday, May 15, making accusations that they had not been issued with face shields, boot coverings and long-sleeved gowns, specifically to protect them from handling medical waste.

They said they feared infection by the Covid-19 virus.

The landfill site, north of Stanger, is the largest hazardous waste operation in South Africa, responsible for collecting disposing and treating both hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

DCLM was acquired by the Veolia Group last August.

In response to the employees’ claims, both companies this week denied that they had compromised the safety of their workers, maintaining that the unlawful strike had in fact been prompted by demands for bonuses.

“DCLM has not accepted medical waste from hospitals and will only accept waste that is in accordance with legislation,” said spokesman, general manager Kyle Gaffer.

“DCLM is strictly adhering to the national labour laws and all of our employees (outsourced staff included) have the appropriate and necessary PPE to work, specially, in the present context of the Covid-19 pandemic, as a waste management company who owns and operates a Class A landfill site.”

Stratogo stated that the company always ensured that clients issued their employees the necessary PPE for the performance of their duties.

Graham North of Stratogo said: “Stratogo employees deployed at DCLM are issued with three sets of PPEs for their normal day to day duties and in addition, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, employees were issued with appropriate face masks, sanitizers, and gloves.”

Another issue workers raised with DCLM management was their employment by Stratogo which they claimed prevented them – some have worked in the same job for more than four years – from enjoying any social protection, pension or medical aid.

North denied these claims, saying that employees were affiliated with and were members of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry.

The council monitored, oversaw and provided employees protection in the form of remuneration, annual leave, sick leave, provident fund, dangerous goods allowances and wellness cards to enable them to have access to medical cover.

“Stratogo has to date never been issued with any default and/or adverse finding by the bargaining council. The strike action was not in conformance with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act and was accordingly unlawful,” he said.

Stratogo instructed their workers to return to work or face disciplinary action. They did return to work.

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