EPWP workers contract issues: Mogale provides clarity

Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) has clarified contract issues involving Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers.

On Wednesday morning, October 9, disgruntled EPWP workers took to the streets to express their anger by throwing rubbish and other objects. Workers claim that their contracts were terminated without any notice or communication from Mogale City’s labour department.

The workers also expressed that there were several issues they faced prior to their termination and the terms of their contracts were yet to be resolved, specifically their Unemployment Insurance Fund.

According to Ward 20 councillor Mark Trump the unrest was due to MCLM postponing a meeting that was meant to take place on that day.

Worker Queen Dodo confirmed that conditions were so poor that they were not well-equipped most of the time and were even forced to buy their own equipment to do their work properly.

• Read the initial article here: Angry EPWP workers cause unrest in CBD

”We never had the equipment to do sufficient work, this also includes having to buy our own uniforms despite the contracts we signed stating that all those things would be provided for.”

Sannie Thiba, another worker, said despite being paid for our efforts, the workers were never respected or treated with dignity. The municipality’s inability to give them the necessary equipment to work with made it very difficult for people to identify that they were municipal workers. This led to them being disrespected and harassed by vagrants and even motorists.

According to MCLM communications officer Refilwe Mahlangu, they will be engaging with the Department of Labour to find solutions to ensure that workers are paid.

“The municipality’s payroll section has been in talks with the Gauteng Department of Labour regarding terminated EPWP workers being unable to claim their UIF payments. A meeting has been scheduled to discuss the claims of the workers who have been terminated.”

She added the payroll personnel continue completing UI-19 forms in the department which will only be processed after the meeting with Mogale City officials.

“The Department of Labour also cited previous fraud incidents where individuals would fake payslips and bank statements for claims. As a result, Mogale City’s chief finance officer has tightened due diligence processes to mitigate fraud. This will be a lengthy process so we have asked all workers to be patient as we try to resolve this matter.”