Temporary workers: We will continue to show up

After the announcement of the unemployment rate Polokwane Observer engaged with the temporary workers to find out if they have any luck finding a job by waiting at the loading area. We also asked them how they ended up jobless.

The group of men wake up every morning to stand on the side of the road in the hope of getting a temporary job. Some of them have been unemployed for more than 10 years.

10POLOKWANE – Temporary workers who stand in Market Street in the hope of finding a job, said they will continue to do this, even if it’s just work for a day.

After the announcement of the unemployment rate Polokwane Observer engaged with the temporary workers to find out if they have any luck finding a job by waiting at the loading area. We also asked them how they ended up jobless.

Isaac Sephuru: I have been looking for work for so long that I can’t even remember. I am a very hard working person who is also goal orientated but here I am on the street because I can’t find someone to hire me permanently. Some of us aren’t lucky because age is not on our side but we can’t sit at home because we have families to look after.

Oupa Ramodike: Sometimes it can even take an entire month before I get work but even so I will still wake up everyday and come here. I have a few certificates in delivery and security but I struggle to find work even though I submitted my CV to various companies. That’s why I opted to come here everyday because you never know when things will change.

John Mohale: I have been unemployed for seven years. I don’t remember when last I got a permanent job and I could relax. It is always about waking up and hustling to get a small job that I can do that will help me survive the week. I am great at gardening, painting and plastering but no one has given me the opportunity to show my work. Regardless I will make sure I am here early every morning.

Justice Mokgehle: I have been looking for work since 2018. Before that I used to work in deliveries. I have both a public driving permit and a driver’s licence. None of these have been helpful in my hunt for a job. I am also a very good painter but at this point I would do anything for work.

The majority of them mentioned that they had no formal education or qualification and mostly relied on their hands to work. They struggle to get permanent employment because of this and the only solution is waking up early, and showing up because they don’t want to resort to a life of crime.

They say that they would really appreciate it if the community could offer them a meal once or twice a day, or even some old clothes or shoes.

reporter02@nmgroup.co.za