Workers' strike severely impacting daily operations - eThekwini Municipality

DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial government says a protest by Durban Solid Waste Workers is taking a toll on the City of eThekwini’s daily operations.

Last week, eThekwini municipal workers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) embarked on a protest demanding a wage increase. 

Municipal workers linked to the union say they are paid far less compared to their counterparts at other municipalities. 

The protest caused disruptions, even dumping rubbish in parts of the city.

This also saw some government-owned businesses shutting their doors while some municipal workers stayed away due to alleged threats. 

KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda held a joint media briefing on the strike on Monday. 

Dube-Ncube said the protest has hit the KZN metro hard. 

“The violent nature of strike has resulted in the essential municipal services being severely impacted as some of the employees are fearing for their lives after seeing their colleagues being attacked and infrastructure vandalised.” 

The protest also comes as eThekwini faces water challenges among other service delivery issues. 

Authorities said they are yet to meet SAMWU representatives.