NUMSA rejects Mpact Plastics latest wage offer

File Image: IOL. The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) has rejected the latest wage offer from Mpact Plastics in Pinetown.

File Image: IOL. The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) has rejected the latest wage offer from Mpact Plastics in Pinetown.

Published Sep 20, 2017

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JOHANNESBURG - The National Union of Metal Workers of South

Africa (NUMSA) has rejected the latest wage offer from Mpact Plastics in

Pinetown.

NUMSA said at least 140

contract workers have been on strike because they want to be permanently

employed. They were also demanding an end to labour brokers.

Contract staff work just as

hard as the permanent staff but they only earn R20 per hour which is half of

the minimum rate in Engineering. Our members also want benefits like medical

aid and provident fund. “Mpact management made

an offer to increase wages by R2,50 per hour; and an offer to

increase  night shift allowance from 10% – 12%. But we have rejected the offer because

it does not go far enough in ensuring that our members and their families are

able to live a dignified life”.

“Our members are part of the

working class poor. They can barely survive on R20 per hour, which government

has proposed as the National Minimum Wage for next year. Our members

spend more than half their income on public transportation just to get to work

and like most African families, they support at least eight dependents,” said

NUMSA.

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NUMSA said the cost of

living was particularly high for them because they have always earned low

wages. They were directly affected by high unemployment, poverty and

inequality. Companies like Mpact exploit African labour and the low pay was

proof that they do not value their contribution. The union said picketing

would continue until Mpact meets their demands for a living wage.

Last week permanent staff joined in a solidarity strike and they salute them

for their sacrifice.

“We commend our members for

fighting for a better life for themselves and their families. During a strike a

‘no work no pay policy’ applies. And our members are willing to give up their

own comforts for the right to equality in the workplace,” said NUMSA.

- BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

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