A local old age home, which serves over 120 frail residents, has come under scrutiny after its employees embarked on an ongoing strike on Friday, October 7, under the instruction of the Yarona kopano Workers Union of South Africa (YKWUSA).
According to YKWUSA General Secretary, Patrick Kubheka, employees believed that they were not registered at the Department of Labour; however, they were required to pay towards a U.I.F fund.
“These workers are also demanding that they be given a pension or provident fund so that they can one day look after their families once they reach retirement. We are also querying unfair dismissals and demand an increase of at least 10%, after the employer offered a 3% increase earlier this year,” he said.
The Newcastle Advertiser contacted the Centre’s CEO, Jomari Batista, who claimed the 3% increase was not on the table for negotiation, but was already given to staff unilaterally on April 1, which was the start of the their financial year.
She requested that further comment be withheld until ‘the available facts were on-hand to accurately provide evidence to challenge the allegations appropriately.’
Make sure you pick up a copy of next week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser to read the full report!
Watch as protesters gather outside the old age home:
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