EPWP go-slow: City set to get dirtier

THE CITY is set to get messier as Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers embarked on a go-slow this week, citing disparities in their stipends.

Workers, who protested outside the Sol Plaatje Municipality offices on April 2, were in uproar over monthly deductions ranging between R300 and R700 from their pay over the past three months.

They are demanding a basic stipend of R5,000 per month and want to be absorbed as permanent employees.

A memorandum of grievances handed to the municipality also highlighted an alleged lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), uniforms, and training.

The crowd insisted on being addressed by the mayor, who was reportedly out of town at the time.

They claimed that 486 workers would participate in the go-slow, warning that streets, parks, and public spaces would not be cleaned until they were paid in line with minimum wage guidelines.

Municipal manager Thapelo Matlala assured the workers that the deductions would be rectified. He encouraged them to visit the municipal pay office to check for any errors on their payslips.

The workers warned that their protest action could escalate, stating that “anything could happen”.

“We are not satisfied with the proposal of a once-off payment of R800 and a basic salary of R2,400,” they said.

One of the workers, Denise Mocumi, stated that they were supposed to receive stipends of R3,200 but were only paid R2,400. 

“Every month, we receive a different amount without any explanation. Most of us are single mothers who cannot provide for our families or even buy toiletries.

“The budget has been approved and while officials are being awarded increases, our stipends are decreasing. It is a lie that we are lazy and sleeping under trees.”

Workers Priscilla Mondela and Jeanette Mokubung added that they were not entitled to benefits such as overtime pay, annual leave, maternity leave, or sick leave.

“We don’t care about the lack of PPE and uniforms - we want our money.”

The chairperson of the safety and security committee, Santa Johnson, said the EPWP workers were expected to report for duty on April 3, failing which they would not be paid for the days that they were absent.

“They are paid R15.16 per hour, from 7.45am to 3.45pm. A five-year contract was entered into, which ends in 2027. The working arrangement is Monday to Friday, eight hours per day, for which they are paid R2,600 per month. We cannot approve any increases to R5,000, as it is neither gazetted nor budgeted for,” said Johnson.

She admitted that there were backlogs in the cleaning of the city.

“In Upington, there are two workers at a station and the place is clean. In Kimberley, we have a whole team of workers but no improvements are visible.”

Johnson added that not all EPWP workers had embarked on protest action. 

“There were only about 100 workers who participated in the protest on Wednesday. Some are at their posts working.” 

She stated that workers were only entitled to sick leave if they produced a valid medical certificate. 

“One EPWP worker absconded from his post for a month without a doctor’s letter. Some workers arrive for duty at 8am and leave by 11am. It is unfair to pay someone who is not working. Other workers stand around or visit shebeens during working hours.”  

Johnson indicated they were still waiting for the service provider to deliver uniforms. 

“The overalls, T-shirts, gloves and boots should arrive on April 4.” 

She explained that deductions were made to offset overpayments. 

Johnson added that the municipal manager would request the council to approve the R800 once-off payment. 

“He will meet with all EPWP workers next week.”