Without a union to represent their cries for help, scores of porters belonging to the OR Tambo International Airport continue to be at the receiving end of alleged abuse, victimisation, and harassment reportedly at the hands of officials and security personnel acting on instructions from some top Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) officials.
On Tuesday, after being told to stop entering some sections of the airport, these porters staged a mini picket outside the airport in a bid to raise their grievances over the lack of support from ACSA, which has denied its maltreatment of the workers.
Last month, IOL reported that since last December, they have been treated with disdain by some officials as well as airport security officials, who daily threaten them with eviction and withdrawal of their working permits.
"Things are still bad. ACSA is mistreating and harassing us almost every day. We are not treated as valuable stakeholders and people who are in possession of permits that allow us to work here ever since the case we opened against those who took our money," one porter, who wanted to remain anonymous, said.
Another porter added: "Today, ACSA has shown that they do not want us here anymore. We have become helpless because no one is willing to help us. We have tried lawyers and political parties, but our cries are not heard.'"
The porters further say they are not allowed to operate the counter, which allows them greater tips and earning potential. They also argue that their permits were withdrawn arbitrarily by executives, with some having confirmed that more than 20 of their members have been stripped of their permits.
Following this week's attempts to get them out of their places of work, another porter said they will remain defiant over attempts to get rid of them.
"Yesterday and this morning, they tried. They have refused us to enter the counter where we are able to get the most of our work and tips from customers. However, we refused to stop working and now we are back working even though we are still unable to enter the counter sections of the airport. We will continue to do so by fire and by force. We will not stop, and we are trying to get a few political parties involved in our fight to be taken seriously by ACSA," she said.
In their response, ACSA denied allegations of mistreating porters, stating that they are not directly responsible for their employment as they are "gratuity employees" instead of being full-time employees of the airports company.
"Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) acknowledges the recent concerns raised by porters at O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) and takes allegations of workplace challenges seriously. The Company reiterates that the 234 porters operating at ORTIA do so independently and are not employed by ACSA.
"Their primary source of income comes from gratuities (tips) received from customers. ACSA does not oversee porter employment, remuneration, or organisational structures. ACSA, therefore, has no control or influence whatsoever over financial and remuneration matters pertaining to porters operating at our airports," it said.
On the ongoing complaints, ACSA stated: "ACSA is also aware that porters have filed complaints about being exploited and victimised by the Company, with claims made that some porters’ permits have been arbitrarily withdrawn, affecting over 20 porters, and that they are restricted from working at counters where they could earn higher tips.
"While ACSA acknowledges the complaints made by porters and sympathises with their concerns, we strongly reject any suggestions that porters are being victimised, exploited, or impeded in any way from earning a living at our airports."