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Domestic workers demand to be heard

Cape Town - A small protest outside parliament on Thursday by 15 members of the SA Domestic Services and Allied Workers Union (Sadsawu) failed to elicit any response from Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant.  And if there is still no response by month end, the union plans to call for “further measures”, including support from other unions for bigger protests.

Sadsawu is associated with Cosatu but, because of its impecunious state, is not a formal affiliate and is housed in offices of the federation. Cosatu, however, regards the union as an integral part of the federation.

“The minister told us on February 3 that she would come back to us, but we have still heard nothing,” said Sadsawu general secretary Myrtle Witbooi. 

Sadsawu had written to the minister asking for her to talk to the union about a range of problems Sadsawu has raised.  This include an inadequate minimum wage, lack of compensation for dismissals and the failure to enforce existing labour laws.

Witbooi added that the protest outside parliament was “to remind the minister that she should deal with our problems”.  However, neither the minister nor anyone from her department approached the protest or contacted the union.

“She has until the end of the month,” said Witbooi.  “And then we shall see.”

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