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SowetanLIVE reports that employees at state-owned bus operator Autopax, who have not been paid their September salaries, say they are uncertain of their future and that of the financially-distressed company.
The bus company, which is a subsidiary of Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), employs more than 900 workers. It failed to pay September salaries, leading to a protest march led by unions on Thursday to Prasa offices. The disgruntled workers, who include bus drivers and mechanics, lamented that the "writing is on the wall" on the future of the company and they feared the worst. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) led the march in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, and demanded that workers be paid their salaries. September was not the first time that Autopax employees found themselves without payment at the end of the month. In April and May salaries were only paid after payday because of "cash-flow problems". A Satawu shop steward asked why Autopax prioritised paying suppliers ahead of employees. Prasa spokesperson Bane Ndlovu said there were no guarantees that workers’ jobs would be safe in the long term amid the cash-flow problems. “The cost structures are too high, staff structures bloated and a Section 189 process is almost finalised. The fleet is obsolete and not economical to operate and ensure the operational model is efficient. There are engagements between Prasa and the department of transport to assist Autopax with urgent funding to resolve the matter,” Ndlovu indicated.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Koka at SowetanLIVE
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