Former Jozi@Work employees threaten to disrupt Pikitup operations
JOBURG – An email that has been circulated encourages jobseekers to meet at their nearest Pikitup depot to 'demand a job'.
Pikitup has alerted Joburg residents about a threat to disrupt waste collection services in the city.
The threat is contained in an email that has reportedly been circulated by former Jozi@Work employees. The email, according to Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi, reads that the 2 800 workers hired by the entity were all from other provinces, mostly the Eastern Cape.
He said the email further reads that Joburg residents seeking employment are requested to report to their nearest Pkitup depot on 10 August at 8.30am where they will ‘demand a job as voters of this municipality’.
Mkhwanazi said the email further reads that Metro police ‘abuse’ will not be tolerated and that if employment is not afforded to locals, community leaders have advised residents to not to allow Pikitup to work in their area.
Mkhwanazi said Pikitup management noted the threat and decided to alert Johannesburg residents about the impending refuse collection disruptions.
“Management maintains that the threat to disrupt refuse collection is by those former Jozi@Work claimants who do not meet the set criteria used during the insourcing project,” he said.
In March, Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba announced that Pikitup contract workers including former Jozi@Work and EPWP beneficiaries will possibly be given full employment opportunities by the waste management entity. He said the feasibility of creating this employment will be subject to the operational needs of Pikitup whilst guaranteeing the financial sustainability of the entity.
“As part of our implementation process, preference will be given to verified Jozi@Work and EPWP contract workers subject to a recruitment process and assessments of applicants,” Mashaba said.
In response to the Mayoral directive, Pikitup conducted a feasibility study which culminated into the current verification process to insource the former employees, Mkhwanazi said. “Pikitup has been involved in a verification process of both former employees since the 26 July to date.
“Pikitup reiterates that this process is still ongoing [but has been] delayed by some of the former employees who failed to submit the required documentation necessary to finalise the project.”
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