Durban - Eskom’s Ingula Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Scheme near Ladysmith, which is already behind schedule, has been hit by another underground work stoppage.
About 200 underground general workers downed tools on Monday and Tuesday, demanding between R120 and R150 in danger allowance pay per day.
They also want the employer to provide food and skills empowerment.
This was the second strike by the workers after they downed tools for two days last month demanding better ablution facilities.
An Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) member, who asked not to be named, said police were brought in but were later turned away after safety officers warned against vacating the workers from underground for fear of endangering both parties.
“We want the same treatment given to employees at Eskom’s Medupi and Kusile power stations.
“Most of the mines, if not all, get danger allowance after negotiating with the employers. Here they never showed any interest until Amcu became our representative.
Project spokesman, Mlungisi Shongwe, said the strike was illegal.
“According to the Department of Minerals and Energy statutes, the Ingula Project is classified as a “works” and not a “mine”. The last underground blast was in July 2013 and all excavations of the tunnels were completed in the same year. Nevertheless, Ingula management has issued an instruction to the responsible contractor to engage with their workforce and to explore feasible remedies to the situation,” he said.
By Wednesday afternoon the negotiations had not resolved the issue.
Owen Dlamini, Amcu branch chairman, said there were inconsistencies in the treatment of employees working for different contractors.
“The only reason we came out of the tunnels on Tuesday was that the employer said we must negotiate. They must tell us today what their decision is and if it doesn’t match the workers’ demands, the stoppage will resume.
“All we need is R120 to R150 danger allowance. We don’t have medical aid so if we get sick we are on our own. That cannot be right,” Dlamini said.
Construction of the scheme, which will generate 1 332 MW, was started in 2005 and was scheduled for completion last year.
The multibillion-rand project was delayed when six construction workers were killed and seven injured when a platform on wheels broke loose from its bearings.
Early in 2013 a man was crushed by an excavator.
Provincial police spokes-man, Major Thulani Zwane, said: “Police were informed that the strike was called off but if the worker demands are not met by Friday the strike will resume.”
Daily News