Johnathan Paoli
Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the union was completely disappointed by Damelin and its sister colleges, ICESA, Lyceum and Central Technical College, for the non-payment of salaries to their employees at different campuses across the country.
“This is a kick in the teeth of workers especially when considering that these employees need the money to meet their household spending obligation for the festive season,” Vavi said.
According to Vavi, the colleges have not paid their staff for November and December 2023 wages, that especially college lectures have been receiving late payments since after Covid-19, and that despite their efforts, the Damelin College management has been avoiding the union federation and failed to respond.
Last month SAFTU released a statement calling out Damelin’s abuse of workers by not paying them on time consistently for the rest of this year, allegedly unprofessionally handling their grievances and terminating some contracts without following due process.
“It is our contention that such money must not be used to lure prospective students to register for 2024, but to pay the employees who have already credited these institutions with their labour power,” Vavi said.
In addition, Vavi said that staff members were allegedly intimidated by the institution for attempting to address their grievances.
Saftu spokesperson Trevor Shaku said Damelin was not the only college affected under the group and that Damelin’s sister college, CTC, had closed its branches in Pretoria and Johannesburg and retrenched employees, without following due processes.
“Each time they raise complaints about the payments and other grievances, they are told they can leave the company if they are not satisfied. These are tantrums only selfish children can throw and this has led to a working culture where workers are not free to raise their dissatisfaction and grievances,” Shaku said.
Educor Holdings describes itself as a premier education group and is the owner of Damelin, City Varsity and Intec colleges, and also includes Lyceum colleges and Central Technical College.
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