Transnet takes on Coega staff to cut brokers

MORE than 300 workers at the Ngqura harbour at Coega have been absorbed through direct employment, as the Transnet National Ports Authority cuts ties with all labour brokers at the port terminal.

Transnet said from the beginning of the month all employees at the Coega terminal had been directly employed, either on a fulltime or fixed- term basis, following a decision more than six months ago to cut out labour brokers.

This decision comes after consultation with various parties, especially with the two recognised unions, Satawu and Utatu Sarwhu.

A total of 304 people have joined the firm since last month, and Transnet was planning to add a further 50 workers before the end of the month.

In the last few months much emphasis was placed on recruiting suitably qualified employees at the Ngqura container terminal, with most of the candidates coming from the existing workforce who were employed through labour brokers.

By doing away with labour brokers, Transnet has aligned itself with its commitment to create thousands of sustainable jobs through its "Market Demand Strategy" – a multibillion-rand investment programme.

Transnet Group chief executive Brian Molefe said yesterday: "This decision will ensure that all our colleagues are treated equally with dignity and respect when it comes to employment practices in our company."

The conclusion of the employee absorption is in line with the demands of striking members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), who wanted, among other things, the removal of labour brokers.

Even though the strike reached its fifth week last week, operations at Ngqura were running smoothly for the most part, and things are expected to normalise as these demands have now been met. - Riaan Marais