Samwu criticises Ekurhuleni’s decision to reduce overtime by 50%

A banner welcoming visitors to the City of Ekurhuleni offices.

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The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in Ekurhuleni is concerned that the city’s decision to reduce overtime and acting allowances by 50% could lead to the collapse of service delivery systems.

The city has attributed its decision to budget constraints.

The union has criticised the action saying it is a political manoeuvre aimed at benefitting “tenderpreneurs” ahead of the next local government elections.

“We are told that there is no money to pay the workers and for services that need to be rendered effectively and efficiently. However, no one seems to know where the money has gone to and workers must, as a result, be the ones made to suffer the consequences. Because really, we cannot liken this to a leaking pipe anymore. As municipal workers we are refusing, and we are saying consequence management must take place,” says SAMWU’s Regional Chairperson, Chris Mavunda.