COSATU Free State condemns the Maluti A Phofung Municipality for ignoring issues of the workers, which have been pursued by SAMWU. Some of these issues were even finalized at the Bargaining Council Level but the employer blatantly refuses to implement them.

We are well aware that there are a number of Arbitration awards issued by the Bargaining Council against the Municipality, which run into millions of rands. Even these awards have not been honoured by the Municipality.

It is the same municipality that have consistently failed to make payments to the third parties the monies that have been deducted from workers salaries ,and this has resulted in the insurance and other contractual obligations between workers and third parties being breached. Many workers are now stuck with cash loans since they have had to go to cash loans to bury their loved ones, as the funeral policies have lapsed due to inconsistent and lack of payments of monies; which have been deducted from the workers but not paid over.

As the Federation, we condemn in the strongest possible terms this attitude of the employer of continuing to exploit workers. We would be meeting with the municipality on the matter and we will also be bringing this matter sharply to the attention of the Provincial Government for immediate intervention. We fully support the strike of the Municipal Workers as they pursue their legitimate demands.

Issued by COSATU Free State

Enquiries Provincial Secretary Monyatso oa Mahlatsi @ 010 219 1373 or 076 115 9923