By Motshwari Mofokeng
After months of uncertainty and negotiations, eThekwini Municipality and former municipal plumbers have finally reached an agreement, bringing relief to hundreds of workers and paving the way for them to return to work under a new contracting model.
Mayor Cyril Xaba intervened to help resolve the long-running impasse during a feedback meeting held with representatives of the plumbers, municipal officials and members of the City’s leadership.
One of the key agreements reached was that plumbers’ hourly rates would remain unchanged. Category A plumbers will continue earning R592.51 per hour, Category B plumbers R353.01, while Category C plumbers will receive R238.60 per hour.
In another major breakthrough, the parties agreed that the 15% management fee would no longer be deducted from plumbers’ hourly rates.
The plumbers welcomed the outcome, describing the agreement as a huge relief, particularly the decision on the management fee.
Mayor Xaba said the consensus marked an important step towards rebuilding cooperation and tackling service delivery challenges.
“I am happy that we have now found one another, as we have resolved the issues the plumbers were complaining about. This latest development paves the way for them to resume their duties under the five main contractors and start addressing the service delivery backlog,” Xaba said.
The agreement also provides that five appointed main contractors will recruit plumbers from the existing pool of 1,886 workers, while ensuring that only properly accredited plumbers work on municipal infrastructure.
Recruitment for the first shift of 712 plumbers is already under way, with 337 recruited so far and another 375 still needed. Plumber representatives have committed to helping finalise the recruitment process.
The agreement follows changes to the City’s procurement process after the previous contract was found to be non-compliant with the Municipal Finance Management Act.
email: motshwari@onenews.co.za
