MBOMBELA – Members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) at Thaba Chweu Local Municipality are very disappointed after they have learnt that the municipality acting so reluctant when it comes to implementing the decision of
the Labour Court in the matter relates to a settlement that was reached between the union and the employer at a Local Labour Forum.
It was stated that the municipality is going to placed workers at a rightful position by the 1 December last year as it’s been reported that the municipality issued appointments letters confirming the position of the workers but only to find out that they did not go ahead with the appointments.
This comes after the union held several meetings with the management and didn’t yield positive results which lead the union was forced to seek the services of the courts which are most important and relevant institutions to deal with injustices and inequalities .
The Labour court ruled in favor of the workers’ and instructed that Thaba Chweu municipality pay the workers what is due to them.
The Sherriff of the court has delivered the court order to the Municipality with clear instructions on what to implement, regrettably the municipality has failed to place and pay the workers.
Currently the total amount owed to those 65 workers is estimated at R2 million with interest charged at the applicable rate, municipal employee benefits ( housing, Pensions and Medical aids ) together with employer contributions to third parties on behalf of the workers as per the Main collective Agreement which regulates municipalities.