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The Congress of South African Trade Unions(COSATU) commends the unions organising security officers in Bloemfontein for standing firmly in solidarity with their members who have raised serious concerns that they are subjected to horrifying working conditions under Maluti Security, which trades under Silver Solutions in Bloemfontein. Yesterday, private security workers organised by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union(SATAWU), National Union of Metalworkers of SA (NUMSA), Kungwini Amalgamated Workers (KAWU) and Abanqobi Workers Union (AWU) marched to the offices of Maluti Security to express their discontent.  COSATU’s General Secretary Solly Phetoe participated in the demonstration as they handed over a memorandum of their demands. This unity of workers is crucial in advancing the struggle for better working conditions.

It is disgraceful that the likes of companies such as Maluti Security still glaringly apply labour practices of neo-liberal elites who advance only profits and disregard the rights of workers.  These workers decry dire working conditions, risking their lives with little protection which has resulted in some of them losing their lives while on duty. Chances of loss of life are increased by their lack of access to quality healthcare, which they are entitled to in terms of the Main Collective Agreement. Maluti Security continues to deny these workers healthcare benefits which cover various conditions. 

Additionally, the company is accused of withholding pension fund payouts to their employees when they retire or resign. Despite monthly contributions to their retirement annuity, funds are not released when needed. This is criminal and unfair.

Furthermore, unions demand the registration of all security officers for health insurance with designated service providers, the abolition of the polygraph test and exploitative short-term contracts. 

We call upon Maluti Security to stop undermining their workers and adhere to the Main Collective Agreement. 

We also call upon the retailers, shopping centres, residential estates, warehouses, factories and business parks that the company provides protective services to, to refrain from associating with a company that exploits workers and fails to comply with labour laws and regulations of the country. 

Issued by COSATU