Contract workers say a council decision to stop outsourcing services has not been implemented

Hundreds of people joined a march by the Municipal Employees and Civil Servants Union (MECSU) on Thursday over the outsourcing of cleaners and security guards by the City of Ekurhuleni.

Council resolved in November 2024 to begin insourcing cleaners, security personnel, and waste collectors, rather than outsourcing these services to companies.

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But MECSU general secretary Vukile Mlungwana says outsourcing is continuing.

A security guard who has worked at the Tembisa Civic Centre since 2018, who asked not to be named, said he feels exploited. "Every three years, when contracts end, many of us are replaced. We just want permanent jobs so we can access proper benefits," he said.

Contract workers are not entitled to the same job security and pension benefits as permanent municipal workers.

The workers are also demanding better working conditions and protective personal equipment.

They carried sticks and sang struggle songs as they marched from Germiston Stadium to the OR Tambo Civic Centre to hand over a memorandum of demands.

The memorandum was handed to mayco member for Corporate Shared Services Sivuyile Ngodwana.

City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said, "We are aware that some of the workers are temporary staff, such as cleaners and guards. The relevant officials will consider their demands and respond."