SABTCO Express Concern Over Cuban Engineers 'Salary' Paid by SA Government
- The SA Black and Technical Careers Organisation have shared their thoughts on the amount of money that will allegedly be paid to the 20 Cuban engineers in the country
- Trade union Solidarity stated recently that the engineers will be earning up to R1 million annually, a whole R300 000 more than local engineers earn
- SABTCO is unhappy with the news and the reasoning behind why the engineers were hired, which is allegedly due to their unique and exclusive knowledge in the field
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The South African Black and Technical Careers Organisation (SABTCO), who formally represent black engineers, express their utter disbelief in relation to the lucrative wages given to the Cuban engineers by the South African government.
The statement follows the discovery by trade union Solidarity that the Cuban engineers will each earn R1 million annually, which is more than the average South African engineer. Included in the large salaries are extensive fringe benefits including flight tickets for holidays to Cuba, furnished accommodation, food and telephone costs.
According to Solly Mabuza, Secretary-General of SABTCO the reasoning given for the employment of Cuban engineers was that they possessed a unique and exclusive knowledge and skill base in relation to maintaining and prolonging the lifespan of water and sanitation-related infrastructure yet no engineering structure including the SABTCO was consulted.
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Reports by IOL stated that Mabuza confirmed that the organisation had reached out to Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Human Settlements Water and Sanitation, for answers regarding the matter since South African engineers were recognised as among the best in the world.
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EWN reported that the Water and Sanitation Department accused the trade union Solidarity of being xenophobic after it laid a complaint with the Public Protector.
Lindiwe Sisulu
Previously, Briefly News reported that Solidarity recently revealed that it would be laying a complaint against Lindiwe Sisulu, Water and Sanitation Minister. This comes after she brought over 20 Cuban engineers to South Africa, who are allegedly only receiving 'stipends'.
Startling revelations
On Tuesday, 1 June, Solidarity stated that the Cuban engineers have employment contracts and are receiving up to R300 000 more per year than SA engineers. Solidarity revealed that a portion of the remuneration for the engineers includes furnished accommodation, telephone and food costs as well as flights for trips home to Cuba.
The trade union said that the benefits mentioned above are despite Sisulu's public statement that the engineers are not employees and would therefore not be receiving salaries.
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Source: Briefly News
