Aggrieved ANC staffers feel like they’re being taken for granted

Aggrieved African National Congress (ANC) staffers said they feel like they are being taken for granted by the party as they continue to work without pay.

In addition to the late and sometimes non-payment of salaries, some ANC employees said the organisation is not making contributions to their medical aid and provident funds.

On Monday, a small group of ANC staffers held a picket outside the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, where the party held the first day of its National General Council (NGC).

In his opening speech, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa urged the party’s members to be humble and not publicly show off their wealth while a majority of South Africans continue to suffer.

Those words hit closer to home as ANC staffers picketed near the entrance of the Birchwood Hotel saw luxury cars drive past them.

While the picket had about 20 staffers participating, EWN spoke to several of the party’s employees whowere working at the NGC despite not being paid.

Speaking on behalf of the unpaid workers, Dan Semenya said that this is a recurring problem.

“I think we are now into six months [where] our provident fund has not been paid. Issues that relate to medical aid also there has been experiences where members will go to a hospital or doctor and when they arrive, they will be told medical aid has been suspended. The issue here is about lack of communication, the desire in the leadership and management to address the staff issues as we are raising them.”

The ANC's national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu, said while there have been issues of late payments of salaries, the party has not defaulted on its medical aid and provident fund contributions for its staff.