Councillors want decent transport for BCL workers

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Wednesday October 5, 2011 00:00

 

Lekang Mukokomani moved the motion towards requesting BCL to consider purchasing buses so that workers are transported in dignity. The majority of the workers supported the motion.

'We do not condemn the good effort that the mine is doing but as the town's authority we are simply saying the mine should consider decent transportation so that workers also feel appreciated,' said Mukokomani.

Mukokomani argued that the current transport lowers the dignity of workers who are the engineers of the town's economy. He said it is necessary that the employees are not left behind when the performance of the company is appreciated. The councillor said the current transport does not reflect the crucial role the workers play in the town's economy.

He was supported by councillor Molefe Molatlhegi who said that the current bus load of 140 workers is also not healthy as accidents can occur that would adversely affect production at the mine. 'The fact that a goods licence is required to drive the horse and trail buses implies that BCL employees are 'goods' said Molatlhegi.

 Objecting to the motion councillor Mmapula Matlhole said the buses are roadworthy otherwise they would not have been allowed to operate by the Department of Transport and Safety which carries out inspections and tests on such vehicles.

Councillor Gaofenngwe Mokgwathi also objected to the motion and described the BCL buses as decent, designed to carry people.

Another councillor Mogae Ketshogile suggested that councillors make a presentation to the mine as a matter of concern on why the mine cannot use decent buses rather than passing a motion over the issue. He argued that BCL mine has oursourced transportation to a service provider and is not a transport company per se.

In another motion concerning BCL, councillors want the mine to reopen its clinic at Tlhakadiawa since the government has relocated its outpatient services from the government hospital to clinics. This has forced the public to travel long distances to access health services. Yet another motion seeks to request the mine to renovate its low cost houses.