Thaba Moshate workers demand salary increases

BURGERSFORT

It’s almost a fortnight since workers have downed tools at Thaba Moshate Hotel, Casino and Convention Resort demanding better payments.

About 70 workers said they would continue to picket until their demands are fulfilled.
One employee who spoke to this publication said amongst their demands is a 7 per cent salary increase. They alleged the increases in the last years were too minimal.

They divulged to this publication that the company was only offering a 5.5 per cent increase.
Another employee, who had been working at the company since its opening in 2015, said employees were angry.

“These people work here. We see the money that goes down in the drop boxes, we know the casino is making money yet they want to plead poverty. We cannot even afford taxi fares to enable us to report for duty. Every time they increase our salaries, they reduce the working hours” the employees alleged.
On Monday, the protesters were joined by political leaders from SADA. They still vowed to continue picketing.
“We are standing firm with the exploited workers of Thaba Moshate. This hotel was opened years back but there are still people earning R3500- R2000 per month that is a disgrace in this era of democracy. We want the casino management to adhere to the department of Employment and Labour’s minimum wage rules,” revealed SADA’s Lethabile Kgwedi.

The picketers comprised employees that included waiters, chefs and more.
Sekhukhune Times forwarded queries to the management of the casino (Peermont), but had not responded at the time of publication.