The Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA) employees affiliated to Nehawu (National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) are holding a strike outside their Bloemfontein offices.
Wednesday, 26 November, marks the third day of the strike.
In their points, they outlined as part of their unhappiness, they want alleged corruption to end, they want their 5% and 2.5% for 2024/2025, and are still allegedly owed for 2025/26.
The employees want an end to acting positions and favouritism. They further allege that executives run the entity like a spaza shop and fire workers as they wish, while they are allegedly permanently employed.
Alleged appointments of friends as external consultants and a bloated budget are also what they are not happy about. Including unnecessarily board sittings, traveling, board fees, and management luxury.
The alleged lack of leadership and oversight by the board is also mentioned in the workers’ strike points. The workers allege that Maladministration, irregular and fruitless expenditure is at R186million and R21million.
The workers want the MEC to rescue their entity, as the building they occupy has an expensive lease (allegedly) with poor maintenance.
Pensions are set to be two years behind, the are liquor license application backlogs and alleged unfair labour practices and dismissals. According to the strike points mentioned, the has been no increment for the past two years, and contracts for friends consume the majority of the entity’s budget, and the is nepotism.
It’s alleged that Phakisa Raceway has collapsed and become a white elephant with no water, electricity and working tools. The workers want transparency, an end to alleged liquor license fraud, and want the board to be vetted.
The Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA) confirmed the protected strike and said FSGLTA acknowledges the right of employees to participate in a protected strike and remains committed to engaging constructively with organised labour.
The FSGLTA Management said they continue to explore all possible avenues to resolve the matter amicably and to avert any further disruptions arising. To ensure continuity of operations, the Authority has activated its contingency plan to maintain the smooth running of service delivery across all its strategic functions.
“The FSGLTA remains committed to delivering on its mandate despite the current industrial action. We are working tirelessly to ensure that services continue uninterrupted and that the concerns of our employees are addressed through constructive dialogue. We call for calm and cooperation from all parties as we work towards a fair and sustainable resolution.” Said the Acting CEO, Mr Obakeng Seseane.
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