BHEKI Buthelezi left his previous employment as a security guard to join Strategic Partners Group Investment (SPG) and Operations Security Services, the company that provides security for the world-class Gautrain, with the hope of living a better life.
However he claims that almost two years down the line all he has experienced at the the company is sheer exploitation.
This has driven him, along with about 400 other security guards, to down tools on Monday.
"I have a family of 12 people depending on the little salary I get. I am taking care of my mother, who is unemployed, and siblings. I have to pay R600 towards rent, eat and clothe myself on this meagre salary," said Buthelezi, of Tembisa.
Security guards from Pretoria, Centurion, Hatfield, Marlboro, ORTambo International Airport and Rhodesfield stations have joined Buthelezi on an indefinite strike.
They are demanding a basic salary of R4500 and better working conditions. They are also demanding performance bonuses of R1500.
The workers claim they were promised salaries of R5000 a month when they were recruited, but are receiving only R2519.
They also complain that they do not have a guardroom and are thus forced to spend their 12-hour daily shift standing.
Buthelezi said: "According to the service level agreement between SPG and Bombela, SPG gets R8200 for each guard. What would make it difficult for them to pay us R4500? This is exploitation."
Bombela, which runs Gautrain operations; Transport and Omnibus Workers Union, a union representing the striking workers; and SPG were engaged in negotiations until late yesterday.
Bombela spokesperson Kelebogile Machaka said their security service was not affected by the strike.
"We have four security service providers. Only one is on strike. Operations are running smoothly," Machaka said. Senzile Williams of SPG refused to comment, saying media inquiries were handled by Bombela.
Meagre pay drove guards to strike
BHEKI Buthelezi left his previous employment as a security guard to join Strategic Partners Group Investment (SPG) and Operations Security Services, the company that provides security for the world-class Gautrain, with the hope of living a better life.
However he claims that almost two years down the line all he has experienced at the the company is sheer exploitation.
This has driven him, along with about 400 other security guards, to down tools on Monday.
"I have a family of 12 people depending on the little salary I get. I am taking care of my mother, who is unemployed, and siblings. I have to pay R600 towards rent, eat and clothe myself on this meagre salary," said Buthelezi, of Tembisa.
Security guards from Pretoria, Centurion, Hatfield, Marlboro, ORTambo International Airport and Rhodesfield stations have joined Buthelezi on an indefinite strike.
They are demanding a basic salary of R4500 and better working conditions. They are also demanding performance bonuses of R1500.
The workers claim they were promised salaries of R5000 a month when they were recruited, but are receiving only R2519.
They also complain that they do not have a guardroom and are thus forced to spend their 12-hour daily shift standing.
Buthelezi said: "According to the service level agreement between SPG and Bombela, SPG gets R8200 for each guard. What would make it difficult for them to pay us R4500? This is exploitation."
Bombela, which runs Gautrain operations; Transport and Omnibus Workers Union, a union representing the striking workers; and SPG were engaged in negotiations until late yesterday.
Bombela spokesperson Kelebogile Machaka said their security service was not affected by the strike.
"We have four security service providers. Only one is on strike. Operations are running smoothly," Machaka said. Senzile Williams of SPG refused to comment, saying media inquiries were handled by Bombela.
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