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E-tolls collection firm denies staff, pay claims

Johannesburg - The controversy about operations at e-tolls collection company ETC continues with yet another Fin24 user raising the alarm.

Last week ETC's CEO Jamie Surkont confirmed to Fin24 that it is set to start laying off staff and close temporary structures and services now that it has reached its "steady state".

He was responding to a query after Fin24 became aware of an email informing staff that about 500 members will be retrenched from the e-tolls project.

READ: E-tolls collection firm cuts jobs

In response to this article another Fin24 user, who works for ETC, called to complain about what he regard as unfair practices at ETC. He wants to remain anonymous, but his name is known to Fin24.

The user alleged that although most of the people being retrenched are temporary staff, they had contracts for five years.

ETC responded, saying that all staff members who received notices were temporary staff that had been employed by a subcontractor. "ETC cannot comment on the duration of contracts as this falls within the domain of the subcontractor."

ETC denied allegations of an HR manager being fired, but not prosecuted for stealing money, as well as discrepancies in pay based on race and qualifications.

The Fin24 user said apparently there are big differences between salaries earned for the same job and also between people in supervisory positions or in customer service and no qualifications earning much more than people in jobs where more skill is required.

He also alleged that there have been cases of people being paid less for a job than what such a job had been advertised for as well as black employees being paid less than white employees for the same job(s).

ETC said all these allegations are unfounded, explaining that permanent and temporary staff with different skill sets may earn salaries at different rates. "This is a normal business practice."

On the allegation of a difference between advertised and actual pay, ETC said none of their pay packages are advertised.

ETC vehemently denied the race allegation, saying skills are remunerated accordingly.

On allegations that non-South African employees are benefitting more from jobs at ETC than locals, ETC said the allegation is baseless because "we currently have one expat employee amongst a permanent staff complement of 1 000".

A further allegation of of nepotism by a former top manager was also brushed aside, with ETC saying it follows "very strict, fair and equitable recruitment processes".

- Fin24

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Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.

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