CWAO IN THE NEWS

For interviews and comment, please call CWAO organiser Andile Nyembezi on 060 895 6944

* 112 workers reported being dismissed, suspended or prevented from working because of work permits, asylum documents, ZEP permits, spousal visas or other immigration documentation.
* 13 workers reported being dismissed because of the ongoing xenophobia, even though they have papers.
* Three workers were dismissed without any severance pay.
* Four workers experienced xenophobia at work.
* A further four workers were dismissed for being migrants and asked for help to claim UIF.
* In one more case, MIBCO owes a migrant worker money that they are having trouble claiming.
* Even those with work permits and valid asylum papers were dismissed too. CWAO organisers tried to engage with employers but to no avail.
* Not one of the migrant workers we assisted has been able to claim UIF despite contributing to the fund sometimes for decades.

Most migrant workers did not open cases as they have been working for more than 15 years to 20 years for the same employer. According to the migrants, now that they have been victimised, it made them doubt that cases would be successful. As they said "we are not favoured and if I open a case it will take time and I won't have money to pay rent so its better to go home’.

An example of a case brought to CWAO this month: One migrant worker was injured on the job - his leg was caught by a machine and later had to be amputated. He was not assisted to claim compensation. He was staying at the employer's house as a gardener but was taken to work in the factory when he was injured. Two months after his leg was amputated, the employer threw him out onto the street and he had nowhere to stay.

Another example: A group of migrant workers approached CWAO to say they are only paid between R12.50 and R30 an hour at a large company, while some South African workers reportedly earn R40 to R50 an hour for the same work. The migrant workers also live in accommodation provided by the company, which they say makes it difficult to speak out because they fear losing both their jobs and a place to stay.

Several workers alleged they regularly work long hours without overtime pay, receive no night shift allowance or employment benefits, and are not provided with adequate protective equipment. Some also questioned whether unemployment insurance contributions were being paid and said dismissed workers struggled to obtain the documents needed to claim benefits.

CWAO has helped the workers prepare a letter to the employer outlining their concerns and will decide on further action once a response is received.

CWAO has assisted 384 adults and 41 children to go to mainly the Malawi embassy from different locations. This includes large groups such as 29 migrant workers from Lenasia gathered at the police station after being dismissed by their employers. They were then transported by CWAO to the Malawian consulate. When we met them there, we found more than 1000 people there.

Migrant workers have reported accommodation issues: another group of migrants from Hillbrow called CWAO for help after they were chased away from their accommodation.

A further nine workers sought advice or assistance with asylum applications, immigration waivers or other immigration documentation. Another 24 workers requested transport, repatriation or embassy assistance to return to their home countries after losing their jobs.

It has been more than a month since March and March went on the attack against migrants and the situation is still extremely serious. Nearly all migrant workers are renting from South African working class landlords, especially back rooms. They have not been able to work since June because of the threats from March and March and have exhausted any savings. They are supposed to pay rent but the rents are expensive for someone who is earning zero salary.

Thousands of migrant workers have lost their jobs since June this year. These jobs are not being advertised or offered to South Africans because they are below minimum wage jobs. Xenophobic forces are mobilising based on ethnicity and tribalism which only divides the working class and does not serve to create jobs for anyone or to improve working conditions. We call for an end to xenophobia and CWAO will continue to organise and unite workers against ruthless employers regardless of nationality.

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For comment, please call CWAO organiser Andile Nyembezi on 060 895 6944

Category: PRESS RELEASE | WORKERS RIGHTS