Eskom abdicates its parastatal role as retrenchments looms

14 October 2015

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is shocked and saddened that Eskom has announced that its business model has drastically changed as such they will be dismissing 331 employees on operational requirements. Eskom has employed 217 workers on fixed-term contracts and 114 on labour broker contracts. The employment contract of 26 employees at Eskom Park in Emalahleni has been cancelled on the 30th of September.

“This calamity is a direct attack to the working class and the poor. The 26 employees have worked for Eskom for more than 7 years and today they are jobless. It is clear to the NUM that Eskom is attempting to by-pass the Amendment of the LRA enacted on the 1st January 2015. These amendments place significant restrictions on the use of temporal workers for a period of fewer than three months," Paris Mashego, NUM Energy Sector Coordinator.

"The NUM is devastated by the dismissals and the conduct of Eskom management who are refusing to engage the union on this matter. Eskom as a parastatal has a responsibility of creating jobs and job opportunities. This horrendous act simply means that they have abdicated that responsibility.

We call upon Eskom to suspend this business model and reinstate those employees until an amicable solution is found," Mashego added.

Statement issued by Paris Mashego, NUM Energy Sector Coordinator, 14 October 2015