Workers employed by TILBIT Construction staged a protest over unpaid salaries, today, 11 June, claiming they have not been paid for a month and couple of days. The company is based in Liverpool street, Lenasi South andits management is accused of failing to communicate with employees.
One worker who requested anonymity told GLOBE POST : “We have been working without pay for one month now. We get no updates from the CLO, supervisors or management. All I want is my money, they owe us over R11 000 each worker. When we ask them, they dismiss us. My kids are not going to crèche because I owe school fees.”
The workers said they will not leave the site until they receive their outstanding salaries. They also warned that they would escalate the protest if the company continues to ignore their demands: “We are not asking for favours. We worked, and we want to be paid.”
Ward 120 Cllr Puseletso Nzimande told GLOBE POST that the workers’ concerns were valid, but raised concern about the impact of the protest on nearby residents: “I don’t like that this protest is affecting the neighbours’ peace. You can’t burn tyres in front of other people’s houses.”
Nzimande added that it is the Community Liaison Officer’s responsibility to update workers on developments related to the project and their concerns.
When contacted, the CLO said communication regarding the matter had been sent to Cllr Nzimande. However, Cllr Nzimande denied receiving such communication.
UPDATE: Workers later confirmed that the company eventually made a partial payment. “They ended up paying us, but it’s short of about 3 days’ worth of pay,” the worker said, adding that while some money had been received, workers are still concerned about the missing portion of their wages and are awaiting a clear explanation and full settlement of the outstanding balance.
