The crowd started gathering at 6am today (March 16) and the strike is now in full swing.
The workers claim they are taking a stand against their contracting company that does not uphold its promises.
Tryphine Manana (59) has been working as a careworker at the old age home for 32 years and feels they are not being paid fairly.
After 31 years of service at Rus ‘n Bietjie, Christina Nkuta says they were promised long service awards but they have received nothing since the new company took over the contract.
“I was employed as a casual labourer 10 years ago and I still am,” she says.
For Zandile Malgas (27) it is all about the overtime.
“If we work overtime, we don’t get paid accordingly,” says Malgas.
Cecilia Buthelezi (34) says she has been a careworker at the old age home since June 2014.
She was asked to work overtime, but refused as they don’t get paid for the extra hours they put in.
Sophie Nthombeni (37) worked as a cleaner for a company in Nigel and when the company closed down in 2014 she came to work for the contracting agency at Rus ‘n Bietjie.
“They promised me that my salary won’t change, yet I earn less money now,” she says.
The rest of the employees complain about their provident fund as they claim they have not received any proof of their contribution towards the fund.
Company representatives are currently in a meeting with the shop stewards and a statement will be issued once this meeting concludes.
