Bhisho rejects pay demands by temporary workers

THE Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works is not giving in to Nelson Mandela Bay employees who went on strike last week demanding a R3500 a month salary.

The department's spokeswoman, Vuyokazi Mbanjwa, said the employees – who worked two days a week – were complaining about their R576 salary.

She said that in terms of the ministerial determination on the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) the prescribed minimum wage was R70.59 a day.

"It must be noted that [the] EPWP is not only a Port Elizabeth project but has about 4000 workers across the province. Increasing the minimum wage will have to be done across the board. This would have a dire consequence on the budget," Mbanjwa said. - Hendrick Mphande

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