The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has accused Putco, a bus company, of dumping human waste near a depot in Nancefield, Soweto. Numsa claims that this act is part of a “reign of terror” against suspended workers.
The union alleges that at least 120 workers were suspended by Putco because the company attempted to withhold wage increases.
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According to Numsa, this issue dates back to 2022 when workers staged a work stoppage after Putco management refused to pay a 6% wage increase and a bonus.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola stated that the union’s members at the Nancefield depot in Soweto have reported that Putco empties portable toilets in an open field near where they are forced to sit. This alleged dumping of waste in a residential area has resulted in a permanent stench in the air.
Hlubi-Majola emphasised that if these allegations are true, it is a gross violation of dignity and demonstrates Putco’s disregard for African workers and the community of Soweto.
However, Putco denies Numsa’s claims, calling them a “blatant lie.” The company states that the mobile toilet depicted in the video was reported as faulty and did not contain any human waste.
Putco explains that the driver was draining the remaining water from the faulty unit before removing it from the depot.
PUTCO allegedly dumps faeces in a residential area in Soweto as part of its reign of terror against workers! NUMSA has lodged an official complaint with @deptoflabour to inspect Putco depos where suspended workers are being kept. They are violating their dignity! Video 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/Ik4krXMR6j
— NUMSA (@Numsa_Media) February 21, 2024
Putco also refutes Numsa’s accusation of unlawfully withholding bonuses and salary increases from 2020. The company claims that it applied for an exemption from the salary increase and bonuses due to the financial impact of Covid-19.
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Regarding the deduction of money from suspended workers, Putco asserts that it paid all employee salaries in advance and made corrections in the January 2024 payroll for those who were absent without authorization or approved sick leave.
 accuses Putco, a bus company, of dumping human waste near a depot in Nancefield, Soweto. Numsa claims that this act is part of a 'reign of terror' against suspended workers.){kind=link}