THE construction of a footbridge has come to a halt.
Workers are not happy because their demands have not been met and said their cries have fallen on deaf ears.
Joseph Mgidi (46) told Daily Sun that work will not continue until their boss meets them.
The footbridge connects two villages, Leratong and Zakheni, in Mpumalanga.
"We started working on the bridge at the beginning of October 2023. As workers, we demand to meet our boss because we're forced to work overtime but don't get paid for it. We don't get payslips and we don't even know whether we are registered or not,” he said.
Another worker, Linah Mazibuko (24), told the Sun Team that they also demand an increase.
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"Our salary is too little compared to the amount of work we do here. We work like slaves. We were given only one hour to read and sign our contracts. We are regarded as general workers," she said.
Siphiwe Masina (33) said five workers were injured on Tuesday, 26 March when the bridge collapsed on them.
"The workers had to go to hospital all by themselves. Nobody cared about them. They had to use their own money to get medical help. Others don't have safety shoes. The working conditions here are not conducive. We need a meeting to discuss our problems before work can resume again," she said.
The workers said their work suits are also worn out, adding that were only given one set instead of two.
Welisizwe Bridge Project boss, Bheki Matsheni, said he doesn't know anything about the workers’ complaints.
"The workers never called a meeting with me to discuss any of their problems. I was never informed about workers who got injured. About working overtime, I do pay them, and their payment is supposed to start this month end. I will go to the site to meet them and hear all their concerns," he said.
