Pikitup casual workers say they will be continuing with their protest until their demands of permanent employment are met. Camping outside various depots, they downed tools last week Thursday and left various areas in Johannesburg in filth, desisting from collecting waste in the CBD, Norwood, Marlboro, Waterval, Selby, Randburg, Midrand, and Diepsloot.

Protesters blocking the entrance and exist of Pikitup's Norwood Depot. Work is being done to resolve the issue and normalise waste collection services. We appeal for understanding during this time @CityofJoburgZA pic.twitter.com/UBX4B0xU6X

— Pikitup (@CleanerJoburg) May 17, 2024

The workers contracts are closer to expiring and they are accusing the service provider of corruption and unfair hiring practices. They claim that they have applied for permanent posts but those positions were given to people from outside Gauteng without the locals being called in for interviews. Protesters blocked depot entrances, preventing employees from performing their duties and in some instances, resorted to burning tyres to voice their demands for permanent employment.

Pikitup spokesperson, Muzi Mkhwanazi, acknowledged the disruptions and said that the company was taking steps to address the issue. Mkhwanazi said it was important to clarify that the current protest action is not a strike by Pikitup employees but by casual workers. 

This means that members of the South African Municipal Workers Union and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), the recognised unions within the organisation, are not on strike. " We are considering various options to restore normal service delivery in the affected depot areas. This includes initiating discussions with the protesting casual workers to find mutually acceptable solutions and implementing security measures to enable employees to continue serving the community," Mkhwanazi said.