Ending labour broking a focus for union

THE South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has dedicated this year to intensifying its campaigns for decent work for all municipal workers and those rendering related services.

In its New Year message, the union said it would launch various campaigns focused on bringing to an end the labour broking system.

“Our interest is to see all workers that are rendering municipal services being permanently and directly employed by municipalities,” it said in its statement.

It pointed out that the previous year had been a trying one, particularly for municipal workers and the union.

“We lost members and activists who had dedicated their lives to ensuring that the rot in municipalities, especially those of VBS Mutual Bank illegal deposits, were exposed and perpetrators jailed,” it said

“We welcome the progress made in this regard wherein a suspect, who was initially charged with intimidation, has now had an additional charge of murder added. We remain hopeful that we will see more arrests and that justice is served for the murders of Comrades Ronald Mani and Thomson Tshililo.”

The year 2020 will also see Samwu hosting its 12th national congress, scheduled for March.

“We are on track for the congress, with the conclusion of regional shop steward councils. Already Limpopo province has held its provincial congress, while other provinces will be holding theirs from the second week of January. We thank our members for the commitment, dedication and patience they have displayed in assisting the union in moving forward.

“We further thank the union’s members for sticking with the union through thick and thin, especially for being with us throughout our painful past,” it said.