Rustenberg: The MEC for the North West Department of Community Safety- Sello Lehari, engaged with worker representatives from the National Transport and Allied Workers Union (NTI) yesterday in Rustenberg.
He was also joined by the Head of the Department, Dr Hans Kekana. The MEC and HOD addressed the issue of unpaid salaries and gave assurance to the workers.
The unpaid salaries have grown the sense of frustration among the workers as it has left employees in a state of financial uncertainty.
They expressed their anguish and have taken drastic measures, including blockading the entrance to the Provincial Legislature in Mahikeng on multiple occasions.
In order to control the situation, the meeting was organized by the leaders. The engagement featured a discussion between workers and government officials about the implementation of an efficient resolution to the ongoing payment dispute.
The MEC has been engaging the leadership of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and the South African Workers Union (SAWU-Ya Bashumi) to update them on the processes the Department is taking to facilitate and expedite the payment of the employees’ salaries.
In the three hour meetings where the Department met both unions separately, MEC Lehari announced the payment will be facilitated through a third party to avoid contravening the PFMA guidelines.
The North West Provincial Government has approved the Treasury to assist the Department as part of the intervention.
“Our feedback following our previous meetings is that we are doing our best to rescue the NTI. As a result, the Provincial Treasury has approved through budget adjustment an amount that will pay the primary creditors of the entity, which are employees.
“It is now important that you (both unions) report to your members accordingly. We know that it is difficult for you to explain to your members under these circumstances, but it is important for them to know the status quo,” said MEC Lehari.
Dr Kekana emphasized that they shall ensure the processes are finalized soonest so that employees can be paid before Christmas.
MEC Lehari reminded both unions that the entity is obligated to generate money to pay its creditors. The following meeting with both worker representatives will be next week.