On Tuesday, several contract workers at Eskom downed their tools and embarked on a protest in a bid to become permanent staffs of the power utility company.
In a poster circulated on social media, protest organiser Timothy Kgokong called for a shutdown at the Kendal, Matla, Duhva, Kusile, Arnot, Komati, Kriel, Thuthuka, Majuba and Grootvlei power stations.
Kgakong said the protest was to all in a bid to make temporary workers become permanently employed.
“We are aware of the ongoing protest action by workers employed by temporary employment service providers around power stations in Mpumalanga.”
“They have raised a series of complaints and demands against the labour brokers as we call them, among others, they want to be employed directly through Eskom Rotek industries,” he said.
Mantshantsha said the workers were also displeased over payments of salaries.
“Indeed, there are allegations that some have not been paid, for some months. The matters that they are raising have already been dealt with at the CCMA,” he added.
He added that the utility is working on attending to their complaints.
“Eskom is committed to a speedy and sustainable resolution of these issues.”
“We are doing everything to make sure that our suppliers, being now these temporary employment services, fully comply with the law and treat workers humanely,” he said.
When asked if electricity supply would be affected, he said “in terms of security and disruptions, Eskom has taken measures to minimise disruptions at the power stations.”
“We therefore do not expect any major problems with regards to production and supply of electricity as a result of this action … It is true that some operations are affected.”
