WATCH: Vosloorus ECD centre dragged to CCMA over unfair labour practice
Workers sing outside an ECD centre in Vosloorus during their peaceful demonstrations.
Employees of the New Ithemba Labantwana early child development centre in Vosloorus Extension Seven held a peaceful demonstration on February 19 against unfair labour practices.
The demonstration follows a build-up of issues since last year, including the refusal to sign a new contractual agreement between the employer and employees.
The workers indicated that they already have an existing contract and questioned whether the new contract terminates the old one.
Their main complaints included lack of communication by management regarding the new contract, which was deemed unprofessional as it had print errors and did not have basic information, including remuneration packages, job description and working hours.
According to the workers, the centre management said whoever failed to sign a new contract should stay away from the centre.
One of the workers spoke to Kathorus MAIL under conditions of anonymity. He said they consulted extensively with the centre management, a local councillor, local political leaders and the MMC for Social Development Nomadlozi Nkosi to resolve these issues but in vain.
The matter was also reported to the CCMA and is being referred to arbitration.
“On November 30 the centre management informed employees not to report to work until February 7 without written agreement and payment. We were told that the centre is under financial constraints,” said the worker.
“On January 28, we were called for a staff meeting and requested to return to work on February 1 on condition that we sign and return the contract the following day.”
The anonymous source added this was surprising because when they applied for the jobs, the positions were advertised as permanent and employees signed contracts in 2020.
WATCH: Employees of the Vosloorus ECD centre send a message to the management of the centre as they demonstrate outside the centre, on Friday, February 19.
Other concerns raised by workers
• Employees earn less than a minimum living wage of R3 500 as per government regulation.
• The centre operating without an elected board.
• The centre being unable to receive 60 per cent for its operational cost from the Social Department and 40 per cent of private funding due to incomplete documents.
• The only source of income is school fees, which is not sustainable and sufficient to effectively meet its financial obligations.
• Being understaff and as a result of the workload, educators are unable to attend to other educational requirements and needs of the children.
• No monitoring and evaluation from the social department.
• No standard curriculum for the children.
• Lack of transparency from management.
• One per cent deductions for UIF while workers are not registered with the labour department.
Chairperson Lashiwe Mparadzi and the principal of the centre did not respond to questions relating to the concerns of the workers, citing that the issue is still under negotiation with other stakeholders.
Intervention
On February 19, management and employees as well as Johnathan Mavungu from health and social development, Ward 47 councillor Thandi Nkosi and ward committee member for social development Nomvula Simelane agreed that they will wait for the outcome of the CCMA as the matter is now a legal issue.
