Around 200 workers from the public works program walked through Johannesburg on Monday. They were upset about their short job contracts & wanted permanent positions instead. The workers took to the streets to make their voices heard and push for better job security. They believe temporary contracts are unfair & want the system to change.
The workers went on a protest march in Johannesburg. The Independent Liberation and Allied Workers Union led the event. They started walking from Joubert Park. Their first stop was at the Johannesburg Social Housing Company building. After that they went to the Gauteng Premier’s office. The union members wanted to make their voices heard that day.
People who used to work for EPWP housing joined the protest. The group included healthcare workers and police forum staff. Former members of the Sawubona Mhlali Service Delivery Brigades also took part. Their work ended in August. The social development office in Gauteng told them to look for new jobs or start their own businesses.
The workers’ union ILAWU reported that many employees lost their jobs from the EPWP programs. Some of these workers had been doing their jobs for as long as seven years before they were let go. The union was upset about how these long-term workers were suddenly fired from their positions.
“Letting employees stay in the program beyond three years makes them think they might get a permanent job, which isn’t true” ILAWU president Thapelo Mafa explained.
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The cleaners gathered outside the housing company to protest. They wanted to speak with the managers about their jobs. These workers had cleaned buildings across the city for seven years. The company always gave them new contracts each year. But this time it was different. The company did not give them new contracts. The workers were upset and wanted answers. They stood together hoping someone would listen to their concerns.
“They hired other people as full-time staff but left us out. I’m jobless now and I have no idea how I’ll pay for my kids to go to college” said Thulisile Mgwetha who used to work as a cleaner.
SITA workers should get one-year contracts & proper training. Mafa wants the company to give them official SITA certificates. This would help workers find new jobs in other places. The training would make them more qualified for future work. These changes would give employees better job security and new skills.
The housing company staff did not show up to talk with the protesters who came to voice their concerns. No one from management stepped out to address the crowd that had gathered outside their office.
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The protesters walked to the Gauteng Premier’s office. They delivered a document that spoke for both CPF and Sawubona Mhlali employees. The group wanted their voices heard and their demands known to local leaders.
Mkonto Mdaweni worked with the Community Police Forum for more than 26 years. He later got a contract with the Extended Public Works Program. He believes CPF workers should get permanent jobs in law enforcement like the Gauteng crime wardens. “We want to become permanent workers too” he said about his fellow CPF members.
The Premier’s office staff & people from Community Safety got the documents & signed them. They now have three days to give their answer.
