Zuma asks Molewa to help resolve SA firefighters strike dispute in Canada
President Jacob Zuma has asked Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa to intervene in resolving the strike by the 301 South African firefighters deployed by Working on Fire to help contain wildfires in Canada.
President Jacob Zuma has asked Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa to intervene in resolving the strike by the 301 South African firefighters deployed by Working on Fire to help contain wildfires in Canada. The firefighters reportedly downed tools over a pay dispute.
The group was sent by Working on Fire which was one of the projects of government’s flagship expanded public works programme. The programme was run by the environmental affairs department, the presidency said in a statement.
The department would be assisted by the international relations and co-operation department in finding a solution to the impasse.
“South Africa warmly welcomes the opportunity provided to South African youth to work abroad. The relations between South Africa and Canada have deepened each year since the dawn of democracy and find expression in social, economic, and political co-operation among others,” the presidency said.
Earlier, Working on Fire said it was investigating the strike by the 301 South African firefighters deployed to Canada and had apologised to the Canadian government and Canadians for any inconvenience this may have caused.
“Working on Fire (Pty) Ltd has successfully completed numerous international deployments in the past,” it said in a statement posted on its website.
“We always agree on remuneration with our firefighters when going on deployments of this nature and, as in this instance, formal contracts were signed.
According to media reports, the 300 firefighters on strike in Canada would be sent home within the next few days and they would face a disciplinary hearing.