This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
Herald Live reports that work on the Dedisa peaking power plant at Coega ground to a halt yesterday when angry workers downed tools claiming unfair labour practices from the main site contractor, Group Five.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa)-affiliated mechanical site workers allege that preferential treatment is given to workers from other provinces at the plant, while those from Nelson Mandela Bay are exploited. They claim Bay workers are not paid the same hourly rate as their counterparts from other provinces, with Bay electricians getting R39.92 an hour, while those from other provinces get R120. This week’s strike, which started on Tuesday, could delay what has been hailed as a possible solution to the rolling blackouts in the Bay as it will produce 342MW of electricity, half of the metro’s power demand. The R3.5-billion Dedisa power station is scheduled for completion by August. Numsa claims that more than 1,000 workers are on strike.
Group Five human resources manager Waylon van Wyk said after meeting the workers on Wednesday the company had made an offer that would hopefully end the strike. He did not want to divulge details.
- This report by Mkhululi Ndamase is at HeraldLive
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page