eThekwini workers protest in Durban CBD over new pay rules

Approximately 500 eThekwini Water and Sanitation employees protested in the Durban CBD on Thursday, 15 September.

The workers want answers and will soon meet senior managers

Reports revealed that the workers are unhappy with the new overtime and allowance rules. The workers decided to gather outside the Water and Sanitation offices in Prior Road to gain answers.

ECR News reports that some of the workers say that from this month, they will not receive their overtime and standby pay. Some of the protesting workers told the publication that the eThekwini Municipality was taking food out of the mouths of many families.

Protesting workers are expected to meet with senior managers soon to air their grievances.

eThekwini overtime cut behind the strikes

Recently, the Municipality announced that they would be capping overtime claims across all units. This was done to limit the amount of spending. Workers from the Durban Solid Waste (DSW) unit began protesting shortly after this.

The Municipality previously apologised to residents for the strike which it attributed to the  50% overtime cut that was implemented as of 1 August 2022.

DSW workers who blocked roads with trucks could be dismissed

Meanwhile, it was reported that eThekwini’s Durban Solid Waste head Raymond Rampersad revealed that the Municipality will be motivating the dismissals of workers who used DSW trucks to block roads during their protest.

Rampersad revealed the news during a presentation to members of the executive committee on Tuesday, 6 September. His questions surrounded the topic ‘why the city was dirty’ reports stated. In response to a number of ward councillors complaining about dirt bags piling up, Rampersad stated that DSW employees have embarked on strikes or go-slows since their overtime was cut.

Rampersad said the ‘no work no pay’ policy was implemented following this and they are also charging those who took used the municipality trucks to block roads during their strike. Rampersad believes the over time budget cut could have been a gradual process. Read the full story here.

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