EPWP workers disrupt Durban waste collection to demand their jobs

The city of eThekwini is currently experiencing significant service disruptions due to an ongoing protest by former Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers. The protest, which began on Monday, has seen workers camp outside Durban City Hall since Tuesday night, demanding permanent employment after years of short-term contracts.

Last week Friday, EPWP workers marched to the Durban City Hall to deliver a memorandum of demands just days before their contracts were set to expire.

The protest started on Monday when dozens of EPWP workers gathered outside the Atram community hall in the city center. The workers were upset upon learning that the municipality had issued a call for job seekers, seemingly to fill positions similar to those held by the EPWP workers whose contracts are set to expire at the end of the month. This sparked anger among the workers, who felt that their long-term service was being disregarded.

Sibongile Shange, an EPWP worker who has been employed on a series of short-term contracts for 13 years, voiced her concerns: “I really don’t understand why they are not hiring us because it is clear that they need our services. How can they say the reason they are not renewing our contract is because the city doesn’t have the budget to employ us?”

The protest intensified on Tuesday, with the workers staying overnight outside Durban City Hall. They were demanding a clear response from the municipality regarding their future employment. They want permanent positions, citing years of renewed contracts that have kept them in a state of job insecurity.

Silindile Khumalo, regional secretary of the Municipal and Allied Trade Union of South Africa (Matusa), commented on the situation: “We decided to come and prevent people who were here doing interviews. On Friday, we asked to hand over the memorandum and we are still waiting for the response.”

By Wednesday, the impact of the protest had spread, affecting essential services across eThekwini. The municipality reported that waste collection and street sweeping services were severely disrupted. The protesting workers blocked gates at various depots and intimidated both staff and refuse collection contractors, making it impossible for normal operations to continue.

In a statement, the eThekwini Municipality advised residents not to expect refuse to be collected. “We request residents not to take out their refuse until further notice. Those who have taken out their refuse are requested to retrieve it and keep it on their properties.”

Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana addressed concerns about the future of the EPWP workers and the city’s service delivery: “Service delivery projects will be implemented in accordance with the detailed budget which was approved by council for the 2024/25 financial year. This budget is in line with the city’s integrated development plan.”

The protest are the result of financial constraints and budget cuts affecting the EPWP. The Executive Committee of eThekwini Municipality recently approved a significant reduction in funding. The municipality will receive an R18.79-million grant from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, way down from the previous year’s R42-million. Consequently, the number of EPWP participants will decrease from 4,155 to 1,276.