Workers employed on an NC Cleaning and Greening project set tyres alight outside Sol Plaatje Municipality on Thursday in protest over non-payment.
WORKERS employed on an NC Cleaning and Greening project set tyres alight outside Sol Plaatje Municipality on Thursday in protest over non-payment.
The workers stated that there were supposed to be 2,000 people recruited for the project, but this was reduced to 600.
“We have to use our own tools and we have not been provided with personal protective equipment (PPE). Some of us were bitten by spiders and another worker broke her leg while on duty without any medical assistance,” the protesting workers said.
They added that they were provided with two contracts with different tariffs.
“The first contract stated that we would be paid R230 per day and the latest contract stipulates R130 per day.”
One of the workers, Masachaba Choeu, said they were informed that there were only around 300 workers registered on the system.
“This means that only a few workers will be paid. We were supposed to start on December 15, 2023, but only started on January 15.”
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said they would facilitate a meeting with all stakeholders.
“The project is spearheaded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), with the municipality assisting in recruiting the workers,” said Mothibi.
“It holds many benefits including job creation, addressing littering, and cleaning and greening of the city.”
Mothibi added that the DFFE was responsible for capturing workers on the system, the payment of stipends and the provision of equipment.
“The project will be officially launched in March and we are confident that by then all PPE and tools will have been provided.”
