Workers’ union, the South African Cleaners, Security and Allied Workers Union (SacSaawu), has called on government to create jobs for the over 100 security guards, who have been camping outside the Gauteng Health Department office since April.
The guards have been without work following the termination of their month-to-month contracts.
They have been sleeping outside the building in protest against their dismissal and lack of severance pay by security companies contracted to the department.
The union is accusing government of failing to assist the workers after they pleaded for intervention.
Speaking to YNews, SacSaawu Secretary-General, Andries Potsane, says some members were underpaid.
Potsane says the workers have now been left destitute because they have not received their UIF benefits nor Provident Funds, despite deductions having been made from their monthly salaries.
He says it’s disheartening to see members without any form of employment.
Pontsane claims that some of the service providers were cutting corners, including failing to register the workers with Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), which is a security provider regulatory body.
Potsane says their dismissal allegedly came after the union handed over a memorandum of demands to the department and letters to the provincial health MEC over the exploitation of security officers and cleaners.
Earlier this year, the group of protesters raised eyebrows when female private security guards stripped naked in protest over the dismissals.
After protesting outside the Health Department, the striking guards also went to Luthuli House to ask for assistance, in vain.
Pontsane says they have now been moved from where they were camping after their property was demolished and things taken.
He says the government has failed them.
He has also accused the department of lying, alleging that they had said that the new company that is now in charge of security has been trying to contact the workers.
However, the department says the company said that the workers said they are still on strike.
Pontsane says these are false claims.
He added that all they want is for their members to get back to work because their lives are at a standstill.
Pontsane says government needs to start looking after the people who votes it into power.
YNews reached out to the health department without luck.
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