PRESS RELEASE: Date: 2 April 2014
NUM is extremely perturbed about the prevailing state of affairs at ESKOM. Most worrisome
is a prospective drift to anarchy at this important state entity which poses grave threat to the
natural and corporate citizenry of South Africa .Our concern is guided by the following elements
which are a recipe for corporate disaster:
Moribund model of leadership a disaster
We have noted the overwhelming decision making guided by a moribund model of leadership
that has been dejected by a number of successful state and corporate business entities in the
world.
This entity has been subjected to an archaic trait of dictatorship where the only stakeholder that
matters is the employer .The culture of consultation and cooperation that had been built over
the years has effectively been eroded. Essentially the entity has assumed a moribund dictatorship style of leadership which marginalizes everybody .Thus no consultation on primary matters that affect the livelihood of workers future and how this relates to business.
In this way Eskom is drifting away from the developmental model the ruling party had
embraced where labour, business, and the state are key partners for the success of a
developmental state .But the current leadership clearly treats workers as a disposable non-
entity in the workplace an approach which is consistent with the old white minority racist
regime and therefore deplorable.
Appointment of executives
Furthermore , part of the scourge is a manifestation of surprises wherein labour is not
consulted on strategic appointments characteristic of the marginalisation of workers .For
example there have been strategic appointments without labour as a key partner being
consulted .
Thus individuals with questionable and dubious credentials are quietly drawn into the
executive layer of Eskom which can only accelerate the disastrous degeneration the entity has
defined itself such as failing to provide unhindered service to our society.
Vacancies
We are extremely worried that there are numerous vacancies which have not been filled and
which would hamper the ability of the entity to discharge its duties as expected. This may
ultimately justify controversial appointments and an environment of corrupt activities. As NUM we shall keep an eye on this in the interest of our country and transparency.We call on the Minister of Public enterprises to make timeous intervention to redeem the situation before things gets worse and to note that workers are an important stakeholder to this effect.
Wages
The current wage ratio continues to generate disharmony pertaining to labour relations and
collective bargaining at ESKOM. We call on the entity to improvise innovatively to remedy the
negative atmosphere and create an inclusive environment to promote good service to the South
African people .The belligerent posture by the current executives does not assist in this regard
and it would affect proper service in the long run.
Labour brokers
Worldwide labour brokers effectively trigger the deterioration of working conditions and
compromise safety standards. We are not surprised that Eskom has experienced fatalities in
recent times .These are the aftermaths of working through this contracted butcher system. It
is ESKOM responsibility as a primary employer to ensure the safety of workers is promoted at
all times without exception failing which it remains an accomplice in the occupational killings of
our members.
Minimum service Agreement
In order to create a hospitable working environment, we call on the minister of public
enterprises to respect the rights of workers to strike. The determination of the minimum service
agreement has been unilateral and favours the employer and marginalises the workers.
In this regard it is an imposition consistent with the moribund dictatorship style we have
alluded to. These developments guarantee the brutal exploitation of workers unseen before
at Eskom. All the above elements present a hopeless scenario for a very strategic entity in our
society.
For this reason we call on the Minister of Public to make necessary intervention to remedy
the adverse situation and prevent prospect of corruption or collapse of service which would
intensify black-outs.
Contact the following for details:
Livhuwani Mammburu: Acting National Spokesperson
083 809 3257
National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street
Cnr Frederick
Johannesburg
END.
Source Url: http://www.num.org.za/News/tabid/91/entryid/69/eskom-drifting-into-moribund-dictatorship-and-collapse.aspx