Pret SA says Sasol should give preference to locals when employing people
Organisation wants to be the middleman instead of labour brokers.
The Practical Radical and Economic Transformation South Africa (Pret SA) organisation wants Sasol to prioritise giving work and business to locals.
Members took to the street on Monday, 18 September to voice their demands.
The peaceful march was monitored by a large number of police officers and Sasol security and began at Secunda Stadium and ended at Sasol Club where Pret SA leaders had a brief meeting with Sasol management.
Pret SA said people from outside Govan Mbeki Municipality are getting jobs while locals are unemployed.
They said the time has come for Sasol to ensure that locals are given preference in employment and business opportunities.
Mr John Nkosi, Pret SA Govan Mbeki Municipal convener, said Sasol is not doing enough to help locals.
He said they instead pass on their responsibilities to labour brokers who often exploit job seekers.
“We want Sasol to be transparent about recruitment. We want Pret SA to be the middleman instead of labour brokers.
“People are not happy with the labour brokers and tell us they are expected to pay bribes before they get jobs.
“They alleged that their IDs are often taken by the labour brokers.
“Pret SA has a data base of the unemployed in the municipality, hence we are calling on Sasol to employ through us.”
Mr Nkosi said Pret SA wants Sasol to invest more in the community they are operating in.
“We are not talking about the social labour plan that they are commitment to, but about corporate social investment.
“Sasol makes billions of rand and when we compare their profit and what they are giving back to the community, we are not satisfied.
“Who is monitoring to ensure that Sasol is giving the community what is prescribed by the government?
“Pret SA demands transparency even in that matter.”
Mr Nkosi said Pret SA will wait for Sasol to respond, but before any negotiation begins they want Sasol to employ 1 500 locals, especially the youth and women.
Capt Bettinah Zondo, police spokesman, said the police did not get any report of violence or vandalism during the march.
She said the marchers were peaceful and commended them for their behaviour.
Sasol did not comment at time of going to press.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/94468/unhappy-locals-want-to-shut-down-sasol/
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