Eleven strike victims die awaiting reinstatement
Tefo Pheage | Wednesday December 7, 2016 15:10
This was revealed by the Union when preparing for the just-ended conference that was geared towards raising funds for the dismissed workers who are still battling to be returned to their jobs.
The labour movement has been supporting the workers financially and is currently maintaining their funeral policies.
Statistics from the Union show that 382 of their members were dismissed in the 2011 strike but only 278 have been reinstated. Speaking to Mmegi recently, an official from the Manual Workers Union, Onkemetse Selebatso said the Union has been sustaining the members by all means possible in times of need.
“We have lost 11 members so far who were awaiting reinstatement and we assumed all the expenses of the said members. Currently we are taking care of the funeral policy expenses of the other remaining members who are still awaiting reinstatement,” she said.
The labour organisation, under the theme ‘Recognising our heroes and heroines and their contribution’, recently held another fundraising activity at Tlotlo Conference Centre where they raised thousands in pulas that will be distributed among the dismissed members. The event was graced by among others, Margaret Nasha who was the guest speaker.
Nasha encouraged the workers to remain resolute in their pursuit for better conditions and applauded them for the noble gesture extended towards their fallen comrades.
Asked about the funds raised, Selebatso said the money would be given to the members for the Christmas holidays to cushion them against the festive season’s financial demands.
Selebatso continued that they have stood by the members through thick and thin and are not ready to abandon them soon, “these are our members and whatever they go through we shall be by their side. Even as we speak we continue to engage the government for their consideration at any emerging vacancies,” she said.
Selebatso said currently they are not ready to divulge how much they made in the fundraising event as they are still consolidating the reports and will be in a better position to know how much they raised once that has been done. The Union in 2013 gave each member P3,000 to assist them in establishing small businesses to cushion them while they are still battling for their reinstatement. They were also assisted in 2014 when they were given P1,000 each.
“We know it is not enough, but we have to do something despite some of the challenges that confront us as a Union,” said Selebatso who also revealed that they would soon engage the members to distribute the money.