Strikers close N12

THE N12 road between Kimberley and Modderrivier was closed yesterday morning after striking road workers closed off the stop and go’s, preventing the free flow of traffic.

Police spokesman, Captain Sergio Kock, said that about 50 protesters barricaded the N12 near Modderrivier yesterday at about 9am.

“The situation was resolved peacefully following negotiations with the employers and the striking workers and the road was open to traffic at 10.30am. Police will continue to monitor the situation.”

Road workers as well as stop and go operators, who are employed on a project to resurface about 90 kilometres of road, said that they had not received full payment for the past three months.

“We receive part payment and it is not always on time. There is non-compliance with health and safety issues and we have not been registered with the Department of Labour although unemployment insurance fund deductions are taken from our salaries.”

A representative from Chimaka Trading, which is conducting the stop and go operations for the duration of the road works, denied that they did not comply with labour and safety regulations.

Spokesman for the Department of Labour, Kebalepile Khula, said that inspectors were sent to the site yesterday. “A meeting will be held between the department, workers and their employer on Monday. Our inspectors are in a position to carry out a reactive inspection on that date to deal with all alleged transgressions.”

A source who is involved in the project added that outstanding payments had been paid to workers on site yesterday.

Sanral spokesman Grant Davidson indicated that they were on site and had met with workers and contractors yesterday.