Picture: Nehawu workers embark on protest at Agri Centre
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
North West Agriculture and Rural Development department employees at the Agric Centre offices embarked on protest on Monday. Most workers who are aligned to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) alleged that the Agri Centre building has been flagged as falling short of safety standards by the Department of Labour.
Nehawu regional secretary, Zanele Law said the Agri Centre building was unkempt, with ablution facilities constantly breaking down. Law urged the department to address safety measures before workers can return to work.
“As Nehawu regional structure, we were called by our Mahikeng branch to intervene after they have been requested to come back to work at the Agric Centre offices even though they have been declared inhabitable by the Department of Labour.
“So, we urge the North West Agriculture and Rural Development department to rectify those hazardous methods first. It cannot expect our workers to return to work even though the building has been declared not usable by the Department of Labour,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Agriculture and Rural Development department’s acting Head of Department (HoD), Dipepeneneng Serage said: “There are two challenges that I think we need to separate. All dilapidated buildings with all infrastructure and its designs are things that we cannot resolve in a short and medium-term.
“We have engaged the landlord as you know the government departments do rent these buildings from Public Works. So, as soon as the Public Works department gives us another building, we are packed and ready to go.”
Employees also raised the cleanliness at the offices and Serage said they busy addressing that matter and it will be resolved by next week. He said the challenge resulted that most of their house-keeping officials are either above the age of 60 or have comorbidities that make it impossible for them to report for duty.
“The cleaning and safety of the building at the Agri-Centre have never been outsourced. It has always been done by internal staff but they cannot be able to come to work owing it to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“However, we are busy planning to outsource a private cleaning company to subdue the situation. We have issued a notice to the entire staff that their offices are in bad shape and do not have usable ablution to work from home. By the way, we have been doing this throughout COVID-19 lockdown levels,” said Serage.
He said only essential workers will be moved to corridors that are better and equitable.
The Guardian 