ROCKY DRIFT – Workers of Steval engaged in a violent protest on Monday as part of the national ongoing National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) strike.
Nationally Numsa has demanded a 15 per cent increase and a R1 000 housing allowance over a one-year agreement. It further wanted an end to the use of labour brokers, as demanded by the members.
The workers downed tools two weeks ago and started protesting near the company’s entrance last Friday. Four employees were injured in the process.
According to reliable sources, they were all compelled to take part in the action, however, all hell broke loose when other employees, mostly whites, failed to cooperate with the masses and were beaten. A security officer was also beaten and his keys taken from him.
“The strike shall continue until our demands are met,” they said.
On Monday the premises were under heavy police guard. The marchers continued to sing protest songs like, “Thina senza nje, uma sifuna imali” (this is what we do when we want money).
The striking employees allege that they earn peanuts and want their demands to be met as soon as possible.
“We carry such heavy steels that no man can work for R1 800.”
They added that they were sad that some employees were not participating in the strike, while the outcome would benefit everyone.
“We want them to come and join us, the strike shall proceed until they come out, the end of it shall be when our demands are met and the fired colleagues have been placed back in their positions. We recieved an increase last year, but it was withdrawn,” they said.
The company’s CEO, Mr Paul Deppe of the Witbank branch, voiced his fear of the company being burnt down by the workers. “I am afraid that that they will destroy the company,” he said.
A factory manager said, “I cannot make any statements, it is the people’s right to strike, but they should do it in the right way.”
