Empangeni mall construction workers hand over memorandum to employer

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03-07-2025
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Zululand Observer
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Developer confirms no construction time lost after workers hand over memorandum to subcontractor

Workers at the construction site of the Prince Buthelezi Mall in Empangeni are expected to resume work tomorrow (Thursday) after downing tools and handing over a memorandum of demands to the employer on Wednesday.

The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (Numsa) affiliated members accused the employer of flouting labour relations laws, having allegedly recruited foreign nationals without legitimate documentation.

Leading a peaceful march to hand over a memorandum of demands to the subcontractor, Numsa organiser in Richards Bay, Ntokozo Mhlongo said their gathering was owing to growing dissatisfaction of their members employed by the construction company.

“The employees, with an understanding of the challenges that they are confronted with, have taken a decision to join Numsa and project their chosen union as their shield and spear,” said Mhlongo.

The workers’ list of demands include that the company should urgently afford the union organisational rights enshrined in Section 21 of the Labour Law Act; recruitment of 90% of residents; compliant with the rate of pay governed by the bargaining council for civil engineering; and payment of workers per national minimum wage.

“There are allegations of workers not being paid for overtime worked, Sundays and public holidays. Numsa wants the company to urgently comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act in terms of how Sundays and public holidays should be paid,” said Mhlongo.

The union further alleged that ‘bullying acts’ in the company are not properly addressed by management.

“Numsa, therefore, wants the company to urgently investigate and take appropriate steps as corrective measures on this matter,” added Mhlongo.

Speaking on behalf of the mall developers, a spokesperson confirmed that they are aware of the matter and the issues raised on Wednesday morning, but that these have since been resolved, and construction work continues on site.

The spokesperson said no construction time had been lost.

Addressing employment concerns, the spokesperson said they always place a lot of pressure on the subcontractors to ensure recruitment of local workers.