Central SA
Vaal protesters injured─── 06:19 Tue, 17 Nov 2020
Three workers have been left injured after Public Order Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the striking workers of ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) in Vanderbijlpark on Monday.
Some of the employees told OFM News that they embarked on the strike action after AMSA failed to fulfil an agreement to increase salaries by 7%. They claim the agreement was entered into in 2018 and nothing happened since then.
The workers further say they have lost faith in the unions that were supposed to represent them - however, some organisers wearing AMCU regalia, refused to talk to the media.
Responding to the salary increase claim, AMSA spokesperson Tami Didiza tells OFM News there is a court interdict to prevent the strike, which is illegal.
He says the workers also chose not to involve unions, stating there is no merit in their claim.
Didiza adds action will be taken against workers who intimidated and prevented other employees from reporting to duty. The strike action entered its second day on Monday.
Meanwhile, one of at least three employees who were injured after police fired rubber bullets, told OFM News that she will require medical attention after being shot in the upper arm.
OFM News/Paila Chauke
