NUM marches on Eskom

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members employed at Eskom have marched to the electricity parastatal in Matlosana, North West the union says

Spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said the march was part of a build-up to a national action, which would be announced in due course.

The workers were marching over issues relating to housing allowances, the absorption of temporary workers and the impending tariff hikes proposed by Eskom.

"Our members are sending a clear message that says we are now running out of patience. We referred the issue of housing allowance to a task team, but years later, we still have no resolution," said Eldris Mphahlele, NUM regional coordinator in Matlosana.

He said the proposed tariff hike would have a disastrous consequences for the country.

"It is going to have disastrous consequences not only to us as individuals, but on the entire economy."

The workers further demanded that workers employed by contractors be employed full-time by the parastatal.

"We cannot have a situation in which some labour brokers are still around to exploit our members, we are running out of patience. If Eskom does not want to do as we say, we will have it do as we do next time. The strike action is on the horizon," he said.

Seshoska described the march as peaceful. A similar march was held in Mahikeng on Monday.