ANC FACES MOUNTING STAFF WOES
AS the ANC continues to be at loggerheads with its employees over yet another delay in paying salaries, another worker has hauled the ruling party’s parliamentary caucus to the CCMA to challenge her dismissal.
At the centre of the dispute are allegations of patriarchy and misogyny within the ANC parliamentary caucus.
The worker was allegedly recently slapped with a letter, which cited that she was being dismissed “based on (her) written and expressed incompatibility with the culture of the organisation”.
But the provincial Young Communist League of SA (YCLSA), which expressed dismay, said it was “deeply disturbed” by the conduct of the ANC parliamentary caucus, in the wake of a pandemic, with a soaring youth unemployment rate among young black women in the country.
“The reason cited in the dismissal letter is not only devoid of any legal basis in terms of labour law, but is not based on any of her work performance, which she performed with distinction.
“We thus conclude that her dismissal is based on the fact that she complained to management about workplace bullying she was experiencing from her manager, who verbally abused, belittled, and overworked her – to the extent that she was on the verge of a breakdown,” said the YCLSA.
The case has opened a lid on allegations that the unit has been bullying, exploiting, and intimidating workers since its inception, with many young black women being fired and others resigning, said the YCLSA.
“We note, with utter dismay, that the management of the unit is led by five men, with women continuously being overlooked for the senior researcher positions. Thus, clearly indicating that the unit is riddled with patriarchy and misogyny, and the manner in which young black women are treated is, therefore, not a surprise,” said the YCLSA.
While the case is expected to be heard virtually at the CCMA on September 3, the YCLSA has drafted a list of demands to be delivered to ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina, which includes lodging an independent inquiry into
what is happening in the research and development unit of the caucus.
ANC acting national caucus spokesperson Nomfanelo Kota did not respond to questions by deadline, while ANC head of communications in the Western Cape Sifiso Mtsweni said they were not the correct structure to respond to these allegations.
The party continues to be in a tense stand-off with its employees, who are currently on strike after the organisation failed to pay them on time – again.
The staff downed tools yesterday and vowed to remain on strike until their demands were met.
They were expected to brief the media on the latest developments over bargaining issues and a way ahead today.
ANC staff representative committee chairperson Mvusi Mdala said workers at all of its offices, throughout the nine provinces, have been forced to take the difficult decision to down tools.
“This is due to the hardline attitude taken by management to continuously disregard concerns raised by staff members during a nationwide picket in June this year. Management made numerous undertakings, both verbally and in writing, to address some of our demands by the end of August 2021,” said Mdala.
Mdala said the past few months have been difficult, and that members have been suffering.
Some employees have lost their houses, been evicted from their homes, and some had their cars repossessed, while others could not pay school fees for their children.
The ANC has cited financial challenges as a reason behind the party's failure to pay its staff, with spokesperson Pule Mabe saying: “Political parties, from time to time, pick up financial challenges because of growing commitments that they may have. Things have changed now that we have the Political Funding Act. It is because of the economic situation we are now finding ourselves in. The treasurergeneral is looking at various models and innovative ways of organising resources, including crowd-funding, because under these conditions, we are taught to also change ways of how we do our own thing.
“We are confident that the kind of fund-raising approach that is being looked at will take the ANC out of the current problem we find ourselves in,” said Mabe.
ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe said he worked at Luthuli House for 10 years and there were times that they got their salaries on day 36 or day 42, but they “soldiered on” because the source of excitement in the ANC was not really the salary, but the fulfilment that one derived in doing the work for the people.