Green Apple employees decry ‘deplorable’ working conditions in Mmamabula Employees of Green Apple Cleaning Services, a company subcontracted by Jindal Africa, who are constructing a multi-billion Pula power-plant in Mmamabula, say their bosses are rotten to the core. Disgruntled workers raised serious concerns over what they describe as deplorable working conditions and abuse by company management, most of whom are of Indian origin. The workers, who contacted this publication after management allegedly failed to address their grievances, claim they are subjected to verbal abuse by their supervisors and treated ‘as sub-humans’ at the 300MW project that commenced in 2023.
They cite poor accommodation, inadequate food, harsh working conditions and management’s indifference to their welfare as the reasons they decided to approach The Voice. “When we were hired, we were promised proper accommodation, but to this day we live in tents,” said one concerned employee. “To make matters worse, it’s two men per tent.
How can two grown men share a tent? Where is the dignity in that?” he demanded. “A few days after your inquiry, management promised to move us to portacabins, which are more comfortable than tents.
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That never materialised. The cabins remain vacant while we continue to share canvas tents in this burning heat and rainy season,” grumbled the employee. The workers further allege they are made to work extremely long hours without receiving overtime, despite such compensation being stipulated in their employment terms.
“We live in fear of our employers, who don’t even want to share transport with us,” grieved another employee. He added there is a stark ‘deeply troubling’ difference between the food provided to local workers and that served to the Indian contingent. “We eat and live like pigs.
Employees are fed leftover pap and cabbage, or dumplings and soup for lunch, while they get a three-course meal. We’re not asking for anything fancy just a standard meal that any Motswana would expect,” he said.
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