Pikitup workers and former workers recently marched to the Marlboro depot accompanied by the members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, the police, and the JMPD to submit a memorandum of demands.
On arrival at the depot, the workers were welcomed by Debbie du Preez, the depot’s regional manager.
Penecia Baloyi, who is a former worker at Pikitup, read the workers’ demands in the memorandum. He said the workers had signed the contracts for one year but now these have been terminated prematurely, without notice.
“Under the contracts, we are always paid late and we are tired of working under these contractors because we have families to take care of. Pikitup is an entity of the City of Johannesburg and the City of Johannesburg continues to say it is a caring city, so we demand that Pikitup shows us that they care by giving us permanent employment, with all the benefits from the company. Working conditions at Pikitup are bad and sometimes we don’t have proper PPEs, so the benefits of permanent employment will cover medical aid to ensure we are taken care of. These are demands that are practical and in line with a caring city.”
Phillip Magwala, the provincial spokesperson of the EFF added, “We are here today to show solidarity with workers as the Economic Freedom Fighters. I have seen the memorandum. Their demands don’t even need to be responded to in seven days, but immediately, as they are basic necessary demands.
“People cannot continue to work as though they are still in the apartheid era, not paid according to a minimum wage, they have issues with their provident funds and UIFs.”
Du Preez received and signed the memorandum of demand as a representative of the office of the chief operating officer and assured the workers that she would pass it on to the managing director and the chief operating officer.
“I am hopeful that they will respond to your set of demands before the lapse of the seven days,” Du Preez said.
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