Today's Labour News

newsThis 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.

After two fatal crashes, Satawu says 'exploitation' of long-distance bus drivers needs to be addressed by the labour department

Details

satawu thumb medium90 101News24 reports that the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) has raised concerns over recent long-distance bus crashes in which 10 people were killed in two separate incidents in the Western Cape.

On 28 April, four people died, and more than 40 others were injured after the bus they were travelling in overturned on the N2 near Swellendam. The driver survived the crash. On 13 May, at least six people died, and 32 others were injured in a crash between Intercape and Williams Coach Tours buses on the N2 between Mossel Bay and Voorbaai. Drivers of both buses were killed in the crash. Police are investigating both incidents. Satawu’s Amanda Tshemese said the recent bus crashes were of "major concern" to the union. Satawu apparently continuously lobbies for the Department of Employment & Labour (DET) to address the issue of the "exploitation of drivers" on long-distance buses, but the department has so far failed to intervene. "Our members are exploited and abused by the employer they work for. How do the bus companies expect only to have one or two drivers to drive more than 60 people from Cape Town to Gauteng? It is of great concern," Tshemese lamented. She added: "When do they (drivers) get time to rest? The reality is fatigue plays a huge role in these accidents, and it's the employer's fault. The employer is greedy and selfish, and our members and workers are making millions for these companies, yet they remain the most undermined and underpaid workers.” Tshemese said the DET needed "to work with us to address these issues". According to the union, a task team was set up in April in the passenger sector to discuss medical aid matters and at the next meeting a request would be put forward to the team to look into bus crashes.

  • Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24


Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page