Worker’s exploitation through labour broking is depressing! Norman Mampane, COSATU Communications Officer, 12 July 2012 Any development in any community brings many expectations for a better life for all but it was not to be for the workers of 14 SMMEs around Soweto. The continued enslavement of the toiling class through a modern barbaric system of labour broking, disguised as sub-contracting, in our communities is the bone of contention. Mumsy Mulaudzi and Dieketseng Khumalo shared their bad experiences on what development sometimes can bring unforeseen setbacks. Mumsy, Dieketseng and many others were employed to be part of fitting plumbing pipes and installation of pre-payment meters, which was totally rejected by citizens of Soweto, who challenged the matter through courts. According to the affected workers, the SSMEs were formed under a Londa Madi Consortium, with an investment of plus minus R2 million projected on skills upgrading of these workers. All the affected workers had committed various resources in order to honour their contractual commitments, including if not limited to securing of tools. The unanticipated contract stoppage emanating from the court case [APF vs JHB Water], left all puzzled. Londa Madi Consortium by that time was a contractor, contracted to Johannesburg Water [client] and de factor implementers of such contracts were the SMME’s. And Municipality correspondence also confirmed such articulation by the affected workers. “A company by the name of Londamadi was appointed contractor by Johannesburg Water [JW] to execute the scope of works as per contract JW5123 as per records and/or correspondence between the office of the Mayor in the City of Johannesburg” said Johannesburg Water Acting Director in correspondence dated 22 February 2012. “The works involved retrofitting of plumbing features, upgrading of secondary mains and installation of prepayment meters.” The contractor then appointed a local subcontractor from the project area [Protea Glen and areas around], and entered into a contractual agreement defining their relationship. However, the contract was allegedly terminated as per correspondence between Johannesburg Waters and the affected Parties. Standing-time claims for staff employed by Londamadi were allegedly dishonoured. Mumsy has been left in the dark as her household has been affected since 2007 to date. She has three dependents, and was left without a job. “I currently do not pay municipal services, school fees and also cannot afford other needs because we are still owed our monies”, Mumsy told COSATU. “It pains me because the matter was taken to the office of the Public Protector as far back as 2009. We received a confirmation of receipt of the letter but no fruits are becoming’.
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