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The Citizen reports that in one of the worst cases of apparent exploitation in contravention of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), workers employed to remove waste in various parts of Ekurhuleni have for some months been “labouring under risky and hazardous conditions”.
So appalling are the working conditions that they have to put in long hours without benefits or being regularly supplied with suitable protective clothing, with their health having been affected by coming into contact with poisonous and dangerous substances. A report dated 9 July 2019 on refuse removal in the Palm Ridge-Thokoza areas, indicated: “The inadequate resource allocation leads to excessive overtime, with workers putting in more overtime than 40 hours of unpaid overtime, not prescribed in terms of the LRA approved remuneration.” Commenting on the Ekurhuleni situation, department of employment and labour spokesperson Teboho Thejane warned that the department would soon refer inspectors to the municipality “so that we can get the full details.” Due to not being provided with quality healthcare, many employees have told of developing various illnesses – ranging from abnormal lung functioning to poor vision and respiratory failures. “We work overtime, without ablution facilities to wash and change. We work without dust masks and other protective clothing. There is no medical aid, funeral cover, increase in salaries or a 13th cheque,” said an employee.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Brian Sokutu on page 4 of The Citizen of 28 January 2020
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