Asha workers strike again over wages

Angry members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) at ASHA Pre-schools went on a strike again on May 5 at their head office in Klipspruit and this time, with the support from some of the parents.

These workers play a significant role in the early childhood development sector as they take care of the children and develop them from a very young age.

But the salary issue seems to be getting worse. As per allegations, some workers have not been paid their April salaries that were supposed to be paid by April 30.

Workers also alleged that money is always deducted from them for provident funds, but they are shocked to have found out that they are owing a lot of money.

Some said their policies had lapsed because, on the day that they were supposed to debit money, there was nothing in their bank accounts.

Once again, parents had to suffer, they were left stranded with their kids, while some looked for alternative day cares for the day, some parents gathered at the Head Office to demand answers and they were seen as part of the protest.

“We are told that the protesters are lying about the salaries issue and that they all got paid, but I honestly do not think a normal person would not be fuming and rebelling like those workers outside the gate, paid, as ASHA claims.

ASHA is not telling the truth,” said one of the parents.

This one was a very emotional and intense strike, tears were shed and Sibusiso Radebe who is an advisory board member was intimidated by the workers and chased away even though he had come as a concerned parent to get clarity on the situation.

He was attacked by protesters, and the situation almost got violent. Workers said that they do not recognise him as a board member and that they never elected him but Radebe was not there as a board member and never identified himself as such.

“I was merely there as a parent,” said Radebe. “The problem with ASHA is dishonesty, we had an agreement with them that workers are going to be paid on April 30 and on the April 28 we reminded them of the agreement and nothing was said about not having money but when the agreed date came, workers never got paid,” said Ncedo Ngcama, Regional Organiser of NEHAWU in Johannesburg.

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) Apollo Masango claimed that the association does not have money and himself, and the staff did not get paid.

Parents did not understand how the association can run out of money when they pay a lot of money and with the association getting money from the Department of Social Grants.

WATCH: ASHA workers protesting

“We are having a budget deficit and fees are not being paid accordingly, we, therefore, came with the solution that, the centre that has parents that are paying well, will be given the first priority when payments are made, meaning the if a centre collects 100% fees, the workers of that particular centre will be paid first, and that is what happened, hence the delays,” said Masango.

“With regards to the workers’ providence funds, it is not them, who owes, it is the association that owes and it will pay as soon as money is there,” he added.

Masango explained that he cannot deny workers their right to go on a strike, but while they strike, parents must not suffer, thus they should keep the crèches open and the association will take the full responsibility that the kids are being taken care off.

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