The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is calling for urgent interventions by the North West and Gauteng Provincial as well as national government to ensure that the workers of North West Transport Investments (NTI) are paid their long overdue salaries.
We condemn the arrogance and callousness of the NW Provincial Government official and NTI administrators who have so shamefully failed these desperate workers and their families yet again.
It is beyond unacceptable that these workers have been made to spend yet another month unpaid whilst the overpaid politicians of the North West Provincial Government were able to enjoy Christmas with their families. The workers of NTI, a bus company owned by the North West and subsidised by the Gauteng Provincial governments, are reported to been owed up to 14 months’ salaries.
We are deeply pained by reports that up to 14 employees have taken their lives during this traumatic time for them and their families.
COSATU has held numerous meetings with the workers, the administrators of NTI and the Provincial Governments on this long burning crisis, including as recently as on the sidelines of the African National Congress’ National General Council. We are beyond dismayed that despite repeated promises to pay workers their outstanding monies, this has still not happened.
The Federation will be engaging the workers on taking this matter to the Labour Court to secure an interdict upon the NW Provincial Government and administrators to compel the payment of salaries owed to workers.
We will be seeking the urgent intervention by the President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, and the Minister for Transport, Ms. Barbara Creecy, as it is clear that the NW Provincial is clueless and has no ideas on how to stabilise and turnaround the NTI bus company. This should include tasking the Special Investigations Unit and the Auditor-General to conduct a full investigation into allegations of serious corruption, fraud and maladministration, including the non-payment of workers’ third party deductions, e.g. taxes, provident and medical aid funds.
COSATU will not agree to watching this horror show continue through the new year.
Issued by COSATU
Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)
Mobile: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za
