OR Tambo Airport porters protest amid lack of union support

WITHOUT a union to represent their cries for help, scores of porters belonging to the OR Tambo International Airport say they 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.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

After being told to stop entering some sections of the airport yesterday, these porters staged a mini picket outside the airport in a bid to raise their grievances.

Last month, JOL reported that since last December, they have been treated with disdain by some officials as well as airport security officials, who allegedly 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.