Daily News reports that a group of about 200 protesters blocked the entrance to the Durban harbour on Tuesday morning, resulting in trucks not being able to get into the port and staff not being able to enter at N-Shed.  

The strikers work for various companies that are contracted by Transnet.  Chief among their complaints was that they work long hours with little pay, and that they wanted to be made permanent employees of Transnet.  Ndoni Magwaza, one of the strikers, said they did not have any medical aid or cover for injuries on duty.  The mother of three said she earned about R3,000 in a good month.  Sibusiso Zondo, another worker at the port, said the long hours were also a problem.  He claimed they could work for two to three weeks without getting a break.  Zondo, who has been working as a driver at the port for the past seven years, said there was also a lack of proper equipment for them to work with.

• Read this report by Mphathi Nxumalo in full at Daily News

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