The dispute comes after about 180 workers and management failed to reach consensus. The employees accuse the management of treating them like slaves.

They say that no one is allowed to respond when nature calls during working hours. “Also once we leave duty for a while to drink water, when coming back they regard it as having been absent from duty.

The company CMC Di Ravena of South Africa from Italy is said to also practise a no-work no-pay system. Nathi Zitha, C.M.C di Ravena project Human Resource Manager denied all allegations against them.

“We have put forward some proposals which they refused to accept. It is not true that we treat workers like slaves,” said Zitha. The project that started four year ago, to build, and to renovate the sewer dams, has been delayed by protests since the beginning of this year. Nothing has been done.

Spokesperson of the workers, Themba Nkuna, said they have engaged Emfuleni Local Municipality MMC for Basic Service Councillor Rebecca Thulo.

“We want to approach the office of Public Protector and also Advocate Dali Mpofu for intervention as our last resort,” explained Themba.

The protesters expressed their anger and frustration by barricading the Golden Highway.

Written by: Lazarus Dithagiso