CWAO IN THE NEWS

I started working here in 2015, around September, as a labour broker worker. That same year, almost everyone in the workplace was made permanent. Only a few of us were excluded.

Management said some workers were excluded because they had bad credit records, and others because they did not have matric. But that explanation did not make sense. The people who were rejected were already doing the work. They were already in their positions and performing the same tasks the company wanted them to do.

In my own case, they said I would “earn too much”. I had only just started there, but there were other workers who were also new and they were made permanent. So the explanation did not hold.

Through the whole of 2016 we continued working as casual workers. At the same time, we discovered that there were workers who had been in scheduled positions since 2012.

What made workers particularly angry was something that happened in our department. Perfumes started going missing. When management saw footage of permanent workers stealing the perfumes, they defended them. Instead they blamed the casual workers, saying that it was casuals who were stealing and that they were not local workers.

At one point the manager called a meeting. She was very furious and said to us: “All of you here, casual workers, I’m not going to make any of you permanent because you are stealing the perfume.”

That did not sit well with many of us. Around that time, one of the comrades brought a pamphlet that introduced us to organising.

Over the years we have learned many lessons.

One of the biggest lessons is that workers are often afraid. Even when they know their rights — for example that after three months they should be made permanent — many are still too fearful to act. Workers are intimidated and worried that they will be dismissed.

Even when we organise meetings, the fear is clear. Out of maybe 2,000 workers, perhaps only 10 or 20 will be brave enough to attend a meeting. Some will even open cases against the company. But when the time comes to attend the case, you might find only two or three workers present. The rest stay away because they are afraid.

Fear remains one of the biggest challenges we face when organising workers. Even today, as we raise awareness about the national minimum wage — that workers should earn R30.23 per hour — many workers are still afraid to stand up for themselves.

Another lesson we have learned is how companies use technical strategies when they absorb casual workers.

For example, when some workers were finally made permanent, we were excited. But the company changed the conditions. They reduced the pay rate. At the same time, they increased working hours.

Previously we were working seven and a half hours a day — 37.5 hours a week. After being made permanent, we were placed on 40 hours a week but with a lower salary than we had before. These kinds of technical adjustments are ways employers avoid improving workers’ conditions.

Looking back over the past ten years, one of the biggest highlights for me has been our struggle to register.

For a long time there were debates among workers about whether we should become a registered union. Some comrades even became angry when the word “union” was mentioned. They would say, “We are not a union.”

It took until 2021 for a majority of workers to agree that we needed to register in order to enjoy the rights available to a registered trade union.

Even after we agreed to register, some workers were still sceptical. They worried that we might become like other unions. But Simunye is different. We do not operate like traditional unions with presidents and general secretaries who are removed from the workers. Our organisation is run by workers themselves.

The legal battles have also been part of our journey. Our court cases have gone up and down — we have won some and lost others. Eventually we even lost at the Constitutional Court. But before that there were important victories, including cases linked to Section 198.

Despite the setbacks, we celebrate the victories we achieved. Today many workers are permanent because of the struggles led by Simunye.

Another important moment was the first major march organised by Simunye around the national minimum wage.

One of the most inspiring aspects of organising has been the creativity of workers. Out of struggle and pain, workers create new forms of expression.

Some comrades draw artwork to express the struggle. Others perform dramas and sketches. Singing also plays a powerful role in bringing workers together. These forms of creativity help build solidarity and keep the movement alive.

For me, Simunye Workers Forum represents something unique.

When you compare Simunye with other organisations that claim to represent workers, it stands out. Many unions end up becoming close to those in power. Leaders move into political positions, and the organisations begin to fight in ways that benefit themselves rather than the workers.

Simunye is different because it is genuinely run by workers. Every worker has the freedom to speak and express their views. In our meetings we encourage workers to share their experiences openly.

For many of us, Simunye has become a home — a home away from home.

Today many workers have lost trust in unions because they feel unions have disappointed them. But Simunye is different because it focuses on workers who are often ignored: casual workers and labour broker workers.

These workers face problems every day — unfair labour practices, poor treatment, and job insecurity. Being part of Simunye gives workers the knowledge and confidence to defend themselves.

Personally, I have learned a lot through this organisation. I have learned about workers’ rights, and I have learned how to defend those rights without breaking company rules.

Simunye has become a home for workers who feel rejected and unheard.

We believe Simunye Workers Forum represents the future. And that future is already beginning.

Long live Simunye, Long live. Re golele Simunye re golele!

Ten years is not just a small step. We look forward to celebrating 100 years of Simunye Workers Forum.

Category: CAMPAIGN | SWF 10 YEARS