Workers contracted to Huawei protest on Grayston Drive due to possible retrenchments.
Drivers subcontracted to the cellphone company, Huawei recently protested on Grayston Dive in Sandton due to possible retrenchments.
Huawei drivers gather on Grayston Drive to protest.
The protest caused heavy traffic delays due to the drivers parking their cars on the side of the road. Metro police were present to monitor the situation and help direct traffic.
The peaceful protest was allegedly due to Huawei looking to outsource their drivers to another company.
One of the protesters, Selby Makhanya said, “We are fighting for our rights. The company keeps changing labour contractors and we want to be permanent employees and not contractors. They need to employ South Africans.”
A member of the EFF speaks to the gathered protesters on Grayston Drive.
Thabiso Molemohi, a fleet coordinator said, “We work through labour brokers and after three months of employment, we should be permanent employees.” He said they needed transformation within the company and that Huawei allegedly was planning on bringing in 300 cars and drivers from another company to replace the current drivers.
Disgruntled Huawei workers protest on Grayston Drive.
Vanashree Govender, media relations communications manager for Huawei said, “Huawei has built a global value chain with the best resources from around the world. In every country and region we operate in, we comply with local laws and regulations.”
Huawei drivers Selby Makhanya and Thabiso Molemohi are unhappy about possible retrenchments.
She added that Huawei had been renegotiating contracts with its suppliers which may have an impact on their operations. “Negotiations are underway and Huawei believes the parties involved will reach an amicable solution to the matter.”
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