The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Gauteng has been observing the current debacle of the intentions by the City of Johannesburg to terminate the employment contracts of 120  workers employed in political office. The DA-led coalition is warned not to use workers as a scapegoat for their political gain and agenda. The action of the DA-led coalition is a reflection of a political party that does not care about the plight of the poor and workers.

 
Whilst we appreciate and understand the processes of appointments in the political office which are linked to the term of office of a political office bearer, it is quite distasteful and disingenuous for the mayor to undermine council processes that resolved to absorb these workers into the system.

 
We appreciate the work SAMWU has been doing thus far to stop this carnage by the DA-led coalition. Politicizing the bread and butter issues of workers is a low blow and will have dire consequences for the DA. The Federation will engage alliance partners and other organizations sympathetic to the livelihood of the affected employees.

Whilst we give SAMWU space to engage the City of Johannesburg, we will not hesitate to mobilize our members and society against the City of Johannesburg. It is distasteful for a political party to gauge its strength by using vulnerable workers. COSATU challenge the mayor of the City of Johannesburg to publicly inform the residents of Johannesburg that the employment of all these employees did not follow recruitment and selection processes and that they are political deployees.

For more information please contact:  

Provincial Secretary: Louisa Modikwe –  066 182 2402

Johannesburg Local Secretary: Mike Mongwe – 083 498 5770