Eskom sensitizes employees
The Eskom Mpumalanga Emergency Preparedness (EP) committees have been activated and are continuously monitoring the situation.
Eskom would like to sensitize the Eskom employees in Mpumalanga that there is a planned (and approved) mass action on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 November 2017. The PRET SA (Practical and Radical Economic Transformation South Africa) is planning to march to Kusile Power Station on 20 November and to Duvha Power Station on 21 November.
The Eskom Mpumalanga Emergency Preparedness (EP) committees have been activated and are continuously monitoring the situation. All relevant stakeholders have been engaged as per Eskom’s security and emergency protocols. SAPS and the Traffic department will be supporting Eskom in safeguarding its employees, property and equipment. Emergency contingency plans are in place.
On 20 November, the plan is for the group to gather at Vosman, from where they will travel to Kusile with busses via the N4. On 21 November it is planned to meet near the Masakhane village on the road to Duvha and then march to the power station. The group is further planning to block all roads leading in and out of eMalahleni (Witbank)
In terms of safety risk measures, the following has been discussed and approved by the Eskom Park Emergency Preparedness Committee, who advises all Mpumalanga employees as follow:
· Avoid travelling on both days, especially in Eskom branded vehicles
o 20 Nov: to and from eMalahleni; on the N4 between Pretoria and eMalahleni; Balmoral to Kendal
o 21 Nov: all roads leading to Duvha Power Station.
· Management to make necessary arrangements for shift workers and field staff.
· Eskom may be delayed to attend to customer faults / breakdowns, depending on the situation and the duration of the protest action. Contact Centres to communicate to customers as such when necessary.
· Employees may be prevented from accessing roads to work on the two days.
· Should you have to attend meetings or training in these areas on the two dates, it is advised to reschedule or meet via web-ex / teleconference.
Eskom is regarded as an essential service and therefore no Eskom employee is allowed to participate in the march. In the event where employees participate in the march, the principle of ‘no work no pay’ will be applicable.
All line managers are requested to please ensure that their employees are informed accordingly.
Employees are assured that their safety is the first priority. Employees will be kept informed of any developments for the duration of the planned march.
