By Levy Masiteng
One hundred and twenty-five contract workers at the Sol Plaatje local municipality have received permanent appointment letters, marking the first phase of a long-awaited employment transition, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Northern Cape said.
The letters were handed over in sealed envelopes to union representatives during a ceremony and will now be presented directly to the workers, formalising their permanent absorption into the municipality.
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The development follows an earlier SAMWU announcement that 497 contract workers would be permanently absorbed.
The union said the move ends more than a decade of uncertainty for some employees.
“Some have been employed on contract since 2013, working without access to benefits such as pension funds, medical aid or annual bonuses. Over the years, they remained in limbo despite rendering continuous service to the municipality,” SAMWU Northern Cape Provincial Secretary Pieter Demans said.
SAMWU said the breakthrough followed years of engagements and organisational pressure, and was accelerated by a militant five-day protest that compelled management to act.
“This historic victory is the direct result of years of relentless struggle, consistent pressure, and the unwavering outcry of workers championed by their union,” Demans said.
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He described the handover ceremony as emotional, with some workers moved to tears.
“For too long, these workers were left in the cold. Many have served the municipality for over a decade without the dignity of permanent employment. Today, they can finally return home with the security they have fought so hard to achieve,” Demans said.
The union also reflected on workers who did not live to see the outcome.
“It is a painful reality that some of our comrades passed away during this struggle, still waiting for the security of a permanent post. Others are now approaching retirement after spending the bulk of their careers in uncertainty,” Demans added.
SAMWU said the absorption aligns with a resolution taken at its 13th Provincial Congress to intensify campaigns against the abuse of fixed-term contracts and to push for compliance with Section 198B of the Labour Relations Act, which protects workers from indefinite contract employment.
However, the union said the process is not yet complete.
Demans said this was only the first phase and that the union would remain vigilant and monitor implementation until all 497 workers are fully and permanently absorbed.
The remaining workers are expected to receive their permanent appointments as the municipality concludes the phased implementation process.
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