KZN inspectors demand overdue overtime payments from Department of Transport

The Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) has called for urgent intervention after Road Traffic Inspectors in KwaZulu-Natal were allegedly not paid The Public Servants Association (PSA)has called for urgent intervention after Road Traffic Inspectors in KwaZulu-Natal were allegedly not paid overtime for work done in December and January. According to the union, theKwaZulu-Natal Department of Transportauthorised and rostered inspectors to work additional hours during the festive season and start of the new year, but reportedly failed to compensate them despite the overtime being duly performed and recorded. “Road Traffic Inspectors play a critical role in ensuring road safety, particularly during peak periods such as the festive season and the start of the new year.

These periods are associated with increased traffic, higher accident risks, speeding, and drunk driving, which is why Inspectors were deployed to protect the public and enforce traffic legislation,” the union said. “The non-payment of overtime directly affects the constitutional and statutory rights of employees as they have the right to fair labour practices as enshrined in section 23 of the Constitution”. The union added that once overtime has been authorised and worked, employees are legally entitled to be paid.

“When overtime has been authorised, performed, and duly recorded, employees are legally entitled to be compensated in accordance with applicable legislation, collective bargaining agreements or departmental policies. “The failure to pay overtime earned during the festive season has put employees in a financially vulnerable position, particularly given the increased cost of living. The employer created an expectation that they would be compensated”.

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The union also said it has written to the department’s Head of Department requesting urgent intervention. “Overtime must be properly budgeted for, processed, paid according to agreed timeframes, with transparent communication with employees and organised labour should there be delays or challenges in comply with Public Service Regulations”.

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