Employee of brick company turn violent
TW Stene Bricks workers claim they were assaulted during protest.
TRICHARDT – Protesting employees from TW Stene Bricks were allegedly dispersed with firecrackers and pushed by a TLB truck from the gates of the company while they were protesting.
They claimed they were also threatened to be hit with a cricket bat.
This came after they had burnt tyres and blocked the entrance to the company in the early hours on Thursday, 7 May.
They were protesting and demanding a salary increment.
“We are sick and tired of working hard and only be paid peanuts,” they said.
Ms Jumaima Nkosi, the employees’ spokesman, said the salary they are earning is too small compared with the work they are doing.
She said the working conditions are also a problem.
“We are working in an open space without a shelter to sit in when we have lunch or when it rains.
“There are no proper toilets and no showers.
“We work with water and dust that are posing a danger to our health.”
She said they have tried to negotiate with the management, but have not received any response.
She further said their problems are increasing daily and have asked the Department of Labour to intervene.
There request failed.
Police urged the protesters to not be violent and advised them to follow the right channels in voicing their outrage.
The protesters decided to form a caucus and made a resolution to continue with the protest on Monday, 11 May.
The employee who was allegedly hit by the truck said he was having severe pains in his back and was intending to go to the local clinic and thereafter open a case.
Mr Billy Te Water, TW Stene Bricks’ manager, said the firecrackers were used to disperse the protesters who were damaging the property and assaulting the employees who were on duty.
“The police took a long time to respond and the situation was getting out of control.
“I told them that I was not against them protesting, but urged them in a written letter that they should not damage the property.
“However, they jumped over the fence and burned tyres and intimidated those who arrived for work.”
