Unions differ over extended public works project

THE Gauteng Department of Health Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has reportedly caused tension between labour unions.

The Independent Liberation and Allied Workers’ Union (Ilawu) has reiterated its stance on the matter, stating that the department should absorb workers from this programme on a permanent basis.

Despite several memorandums submitted to its district offices, the department has yet to provide an update on the EPWP or to respond to the publication’s media enquiry.

An internal email sent to officials on March 30 within the department read: “Kindly note the signing of EPWP contracts has been postponed until further notice.”

However, it has since emerged that the signing of contract extensions has allegedly continued, despite the department calling for a postponement.

According to Ilawu, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehwu) chairperson in Soweto, Joseph Maoto, has been pushing for workers to sign contract extensions against their will.

Ilawu secretary-general Siphamandla Masimula said: “We find this is an extreme act of corruption and it’s very concerning that anyone can carry out this corruption within the department and get away with it.

“We approached the department and we made it clear to the head of department (HOD) that there is corruption at HR level.”

Masimula said the department should condemn such acts and institute an urgent investigation into the matter.

He argued that the process of signing the contracts was flawed and disregarded the ethics of labour employment. Meanwhile, Maoto said Nehawu had pleaded with the department to give workers extension contracts while they were negotiating for something tangible.

“We met with the director of HR at district level to say that we plead with them to give these workers an extension because of their importance at our facilities, and they agreed to our plea.

“We never forced anyone or the department – that is not how we operate. We asked and we got the department’s blessings.”

Maoto refuted claims that he has been carrying out contracts to employees.

“People are signing at the district offices with professional HR personnel. The subdistrict of Soweto is Chiawelo and that is where those who belong in that district sign.”

Maoto said he hadn’t seen what the contract entailed and knew only that they were signing at the subdistrict.

The chairperson added that they should stand together in solidarity as labour unions and fight for a common goal.

“I work based on what the Labour Relations Act says, not based on how I feel or (what I) want. We also want what is best for employees, but without causing any havoc.”