EPWP workers march in Durban against imminent job losses

Thousands of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers under the Municipal and Allied Trade Union of South Africa (Matusa) marched from King Dinizulu Park along Pixley KaSeme Street (West Street) to the Durban City Hall to deliver a memorandum of demands just days before their contracts are set to expire.

Earlier this month, an internal memorandum leaked on to social media informed the workers that their contracts would not be renewed, and they would have to stop reporting for duty by the end of July. The city cited budget cuts by national government as the reason for this decision.

The news has caused significant distress among Matusa members, who are demanding answers about the sudden decision. The union claims they were not informed of this decision in advance, as had been customary in previous years.

Elitsha contacted eThekwini municipal spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, for comment on the internal memo. Sisilana responded, “The municipality will not discuss internal matters with a third party. Service delivery projects will be implemented in accordance with the detailed budget approved by the council for the 2024/25 financial year. This budget is in line with the city’s integrated development plan available on the municipal website.”

On Friday, workers took to the streets to voice their concerns. Many expressed fears that losing their jobs would take away their primary means of living. Matusa deputy secretary-general, Thulani Ngwenya stated, “EPWP employees have been robbed by the eThekwini Municipality of the opportunity to secure decent jobs with benefits. The municipality thinks they can now cleverly send them home, but that cannot happen. We are determined to fight till the last breath for permanent employment of these workers.”

Among the protesters was Sibusiso Dlamini, an EPWP worker for over eight years, who said, “This job is all I have. If I lose it, I have nothing else to fall back on. The municipality needs to understand the impact of their decisions on our lives.”

Another worker, Thandiwe Mbatha, who has been part of the EPWP for six years, echoed these sentiments. “We have given our best years to this job. Now they want to discard us without any regard for our future. It’s unfair and unjust,” she said.

Matusa’s memorandum highlighted the failure of municipalities, including eThekwini, to adhere to the conditions of employment and guidelines of the EPWP, arguing that the programme was being used to exploit the poorest and serve political interests. The memorandum notes that 90% of eThekwini’s EPWP workers have been employed for over six years, with 60% working for more than 10 years. Many are close to retirement and have no other means of employment.

The memorandum demands that the city withdraw the termination notice dated 2 July 2024, and implement a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) award in favour of Matusa. They also called for an urgent meeting with key government offices within three working days.