Maluleke said that not paying the Deaf and hearing workers is wrong. Picture Supplied.
“Not getting paid until this time has affected me mentally, emotionally and physically because I have lots of things to do with money.” These are the distressing words of one of the Deaf employees at the special schools in the Eastern Cape whereby newly appointed workers have been working without pay in the last five months.
On Sunday, the Diary Series of Deaf People reported that according to the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE), Malibongwe Mtima, 21 employees have been paid their salaries. He said 32 appointments are suspended and are awaiting authorisation at the special schools in the Eastern Cape.
Mtima confirmed that out of the 120 advertised posts on 6 September, 114 appointment letters were issued and six were not. He said the six appointment letters that were not issued include four processes that are still in progress and two posts that are redirected to other schools. This shows that approximately 76 employees were not paid their salaries.
For approximately 42 special schools: five posts were for general foreman, 31 for housekeeping supervisors, 41 for hostel assistants, 23 for general assistants, six teacher aides/therapy assistants and 14 drivers/handyman.
READ MORE: Five months without pay for Deaf and hearing employees at Eastern Cape Special Schools.
On Sunday, Mtima said the employees would be paid on Monday. However, the Diary Series of Deaf People have been informed that payments had not reflected in the employees’ bank accounts.
Mtima said reasons for delayed salaries is due to “The freezing of posts by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) in line with circular 49 of 2023. The unfreezing process is centralised at the Office of the Premier and is very slow. The department is uploading appointment documents to the portal for the unfreezing of posts.” The unpaid Deaf employee bemoaned that the issue is very distressing and emotionally draining.
The unpaid Deaf employee bemoaned that the issue is very distressing and emotionally draining.
The employee who wished not to be named for fear of intimidation said:
The General Secretary of South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), Mugwena Maluleke said people will fear to exercise their right to recourse and for justice because they are made to feel vulnerable and desperate.
SADTU says, it is an omission of law for ECDOE to not pay the Deaf and hearing workers. Picture Supplied.
Maluleke said not paying the workers “is wrong.
He added, “How do they go to work every day and do this difficult job of teaching and taking care of learners when they are not getting paid. This is a modern slavery. When a person has not been paid a salary or a benefit which is guaranteed in terms of law, it is an omission of the law.”
Maluleke said it is important to apply for “an urgent court application so that there can be a remedy. The law is very straight and clear that when you have employed a person, within 30 days they must be paid in terms of the contract. We do not want to know where the money comes from. The problem here is that you have employed, and you have to pay them.”
He said:
There were 120 vacant non-teaching support staff positions for 2023/2024 at special schools which were advertised on 6 September by the ECDOE. The closing date was 22 September and some of the employees commenced their duties in October and others in January.
According to the advert, positions for Deaf Teaching Assistants were to be filled at four schools for the Deaf: Efata School for the Deaf and Blind, Sive Special School for the Deaf, St. Thomas School for the Deaf, and Reuben Birin School for Hearing Impaired.
On Sunday, Mtima said, “Please note that the payment report for the month end of February has been downloaded on Friday (01 March 2024) and will be available on Monday.”
Mtima did not state whether the employees will be paid the salaries for the five outstanding months.
