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The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers condemn in the strongest terms the exploitation of Fire-Fighters in the country. The union failed to understand why the Department of Environmental Affairs is reluctant to integrate Working on Fire workers as State Employees.

The exploitation of workers started when in 2003 a tender (Wp8282) was issued and FFA, Section 21 Company, won the tender. In 2004, the FFA Group of Companies, later re-named Kishungu Group, was formed to deepen the exploitation. In 2007, a second tender was issued (WP9191). It was advertised and later awarded to FFA Operations (Pty) Ltd as part of the FFA Holding Group of companies. In 2012, the Government advertised a tender for a seven- year contract, which was awarded to FFA Operations (Pty) Ltd.

The approach the Department of Environmental Affairs has taken to outsource the services of Working on Fire employees is very upsetting and unnecessary expenditure. For the past 14 years, Working on Fire workers have not seen an increase in salaries and have been told on several occasions that Working on Fire do not have authority to change salaries and that the rates and annual increment are set out by the Department.

Currently the salaries of those who are prepared to sacrifice their lives, who deal with fire and who are in constant danger, are earning a meagre R2,000 per month.

The Department doesn’t view this as financial mismanagement.

The reason we seek clarity on this is that we believe outsourcing is an unnecessary expenditure and the money should be allocated to salary increases for Working on Fire Workers.

On the 18 September 2017 the Union started a process of engaging the office of the Minister of Environmental Affairs regarding the outsourcing of services through Working on Fire. The office of the Minister through Chief of Staff Mr Paul Daphne, promised to revert back to the Union but failed completely to do so.

The purpose of the engagement with the Minister was to submit conditions of services for negotiations for Working on Fire Workers.  That, in view of the fact that the Working on Fire Workers deal with fire and are therefore in constant danger, they must be granted a Danger Allowance on monthly basis and protective clothing.

Failure to invite the Union on behalf of its members for engagement is viewed as an attack and insult to its members and the Union is reasonable by stressing the importance of the role of Working on Fire employees in the country.

We demand that all Working on Fire workers in the country be integrated into the Department of Environmental Affairs. The Union an insult to its members and the Union is reasonable by stressing the importance of the role of Working on Fire employees in the country.

We stand opposed to the direction the department has taken to rely on the middleman factor in dealing with Working on Fire. There was no real need for the awarding of such a huge amount of money to do what the Deparment of Environmental Affairs can take full responsibility for.

This Union has, on this ground, failed to understand why the Department of Environmental Affairs is so reluctant to integrate Working on Fire workers.

WE DEMAND THE FOLLOWING:
We demand an urgent meeting with the Minister for the Union to submit conditions of services for negotiations as an interim solution.
We demand that Working on Fire workers be integrated into the Department of Environmental Affairs.                             
We demand full compliance of leaves in terms of Basic Condition of Employment Act, and compliance regarding all key Labour legislation
Having said that, we demand the implementation of the above by not later than 29 September 2017.

Issued by NUPSAW