The workers have approached the National Amalgamated Parastatal, Local and Central Government Manual Workers Union to fight for them. The union's organising secretary, Johnson Motshwarakgole confirmed on Wednesday that they have started talks with the roads department and the ministry management about the issue. "The workers came to us. We said there is no way they can be told that their job has become redundant and they should look for other jobs. That would be tantamount to voluntary transfers. Our agreement with government is that when certain jobs become redundant, the affected unit should communicate with the Department Personnel Service Management (DPSM), who will communicate with us the workers' union. It is only then that the union can sit down with the ministry and find out the available posts for redeployment," Motshwarakgole told Mmegi.
"First and foremost, the union is responsible for counselling the affected workers and explaining the situation to them. We also advise the workers being redeployed to work near their homes if possible. This exercise demands a lot of consultation. I tried to talk to the acting director about the matter. He was unco-operative to say the least. I then got in touch with the director of ministry management. He appeared shocked. What roads is doing to its workers has made us angry. They did not take our advice at all, when I talked to the acting director especially," Motshwarakgole said.
