29 May 2015
Wits University’s Vice Chancellor (VC), Adam Habib, released a document titled “Opening the conversation: Accelerating transformation for an inclusive and competitive Wits”. The document sought to outline his views on transformation at the university, what areas need transforming and how this could be done. In the document he argues for the need to make Wits a more “inclusive” space where “every one of us must feel that we own the corridors of Wits University.” Transformation needs to address important issues such as a racism, racial exclusion and marginalization at the university.
It is in the spirit of engaging the document and ideals for the university that we write this statement. As we sit, we are currently engaged in a sit-in at the VC’s office. This is because the livelihoods of 22 black workers and their families are at stake. Some of the workers have already left; there are now about 10 who are still fighting for their livelihoods. This matter is one that arises out of outsourcing.
Workers employed by the company MJL electrical have been engaged in an ongoing dispute with their employer. They have not been paid wages for many months; this is something the university is aware of and has been engaging with workers on. The workers have lost their jobs through no fault of their own but through the mismanagement and violation of labour laws by their company. Like outsourcing, this is one of the problems that arise when workers work for people who are on the University vendor list. Workers are exploited by their bosses.
We propose that this matter be the first attempt by the university to intervene in ways that align with its vision on transformation and the long term goal to end outsourcing as outlined by the VC. We therefore propose that the university intervene in a way that would result in workers being employed by those currently listed on the universities vendor list. The University has agreed to approach companies.
We have decided to end an effective 3 day sit-in of the VC’s office in the interest of moving forward and negotiate the best possible outcome. We appeal to the university to not take criminal or disciplinary action against the students and workers who occupied the 11th floor.
An injury to one is an injury to all!
Worker and student occupiers
Friday 29 May 2015
Wednesday 27 May 2015
MJL Occupation of Wits 11th Floor
Media Statement: 27 May 2015
20 workers and students occupied the Vice Chancellor’s office. We did not do this because it is fun or because we are violent. We were forced to because our mothers and fathers that work at this institution are suffering.
We requested an urgent meeting with management to discuss outstanding issues before MJL workers access cards are deactivated on Monday 1 June and thrown out of Wits like rubbish.
Since January 2015 MJL workers have not been paid their full wages. The company has failed to provide workers with materials to do their jobs. The company has failed to pay in UIF, tax and provident fund monies despite making deductions from workers’ wages. Workers are unable to access these benefits. Wits management has now terminated their contract with MJL.
When MJL started defaulting on payments, workers engaged in negotiations with MJL and Wits management. Wits management is aware of MJL’s violations of workers’ rights. They made promises to secure workers jobs and try to find a solution. But they changed their tune in April, refusing to assist workers and denying responsibility for the working conditions of workers on the campus. Wits management has refused to ensure that workers are absorbed into another electrical company on campus because this would ‘set precedence’ for other workers. But in 2013 workers were absorbed from Super Care into uKweza due to pressure by Wits Workers Solidarity Committee and as agreed to by Senate. Why are they stripping workers of their right to job security?
We have had many meetings. We have sent many emails. We submitted a petition with nearly 2000 signatures. We have protested during many lunchtimes. And still the only answer from management is that it is not their responsibility.
We do not accept that management can hide behind outsourcing. They brought outsourcing to this university and workers are suffering because of it. Some MJL workers have already lost their homes. Workers cannot provide food for their children or pay for school fees. How can this be in a university that claims to stand for human rights and social justice? These are the workers who built and maintain the university. There is no university without workers.
This is not an isolated incident. There is a history of violation of workers’ rights on this campus. It must end. There are companies to date that still have people working as casuals for more than 8 years, without Provident Fund and UIF. While there was the Tokiso Investigation Report that recommended that companies are obliged to submit monthly reports together with their invoices, workers’ schedules and details of amount paid to workers. The fact that there are such grievances, as per findings from our survey with workers, only means that the University has not lived up to these recommendations and are therefore participating in the exploitation of workers.
Wits management refused to meet with us because there were students in our delegation. We refuse to let management dictate who should represent us. We do not dictate who represents them. They are now getting a court order to evict us. We will peacefully stay here until MJL workers are guaranteed their jobs. This is a basic necessity for any human being. Wits management must stop treating black workers like rubbish!
Issued by: Occupiers of the 11th floor
Contact: Richard 072 604 3501; Koketso 071 887 5051
20 workers and students occupied the Vice Chancellor’s office. We did not do this because it is fun or because we are violent. We were forced to because our mothers and fathers that work at this institution are suffering.
We requested an urgent meeting with management to discuss outstanding issues before MJL workers access cards are deactivated on Monday 1 June and thrown out of Wits like rubbish.
Since January 2015 MJL workers have not been paid their full wages. The company has failed to provide workers with materials to do their jobs. The company has failed to pay in UIF, tax and provident fund monies despite making deductions from workers’ wages. Workers are unable to access these benefits. Wits management has now terminated their contract with MJL.
When MJL started defaulting on payments, workers engaged in negotiations with MJL and Wits management. Wits management is aware of MJL’s violations of workers’ rights. They made promises to secure workers jobs and try to find a solution. But they changed their tune in April, refusing to assist workers and denying responsibility for the working conditions of workers on the campus. Wits management has refused to ensure that workers are absorbed into another electrical company on campus because this would ‘set precedence’ for other workers. But in 2013 workers were absorbed from Super Care into uKweza due to pressure by Wits Workers Solidarity Committee and as agreed to by Senate. Why are they stripping workers of their right to job security?
We have had many meetings. We have sent many emails. We submitted a petition with nearly 2000 signatures. We have protested during many lunchtimes. And still the only answer from management is that it is not their responsibility.
We do not accept that management can hide behind outsourcing. They brought outsourcing to this university and workers are suffering because of it. Some MJL workers have already lost their homes. Workers cannot provide food for their children or pay for school fees. How can this be in a university that claims to stand for human rights and social justice? These are the workers who built and maintain the university. There is no university without workers.
This is not an isolated incident. There is a history of violation of workers’ rights on this campus. It must end. There are companies to date that still have people working as casuals for more than 8 years, without Provident Fund and UIF. While there was the Tokiso Investigation Report that recommended that companies are obliged to submit monthly reports together with their invoices, workers’ schedules and details of amount paid to workers. The fact that there are such grievances, as per findings from our survey with workers, only means that the University has not lived up to these recommendations and are therefore participating in the exploitation of workers.
Wits management refused to meet with us because there were students in our delegation. We refuse to let management dictate who should represent us. We do not dictate who represents them. They are now getting a court order to evict us. We will peacefully stay here until MJL workers are guaranteed their jobs. This is a basic necessity for any human being. Wits management must stop treating black workers like rubbish!
Issued by: Occupiers of the 11th floor
Contact: Richard 072 604 3501; Koketso 071 887 5051
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