Johannesburg—Tuesday a full-fledged strike by security officers and stewards at the World Cup escalated to effectively forcing police to occupy five out of ten playing stadiums and assume their duties. As well the looming threat of a second strike, involving workers in South Africa’s power industry, could upset power supplies and turn out the lights on the world’s largest sporting event.
Several hundred guards walked off the job at Soccer City, the stadium in Johannesburg, and soon after police had to take over the stadiums at Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth, where Portugal and Ivory Coast played to a draw.
The issue involves a dispute between mainly black stewards and Stallion Security Consortium, a private-run South African company hired by the World Cup to supply attendants for five of the ten stadiums. When contacted, a representative from Stallion Security Consortium acknowledged that officials were at the stadiums in a meeting over the dispute.
The strikers alleged that the security company was mistreating them, feeding them only one meal a day, and failing to provide means in which employees could travel to and from the job. Others complained about having to camp out during the cold nights. They further alleged that wages offered were presently between 126 – 190 rand a day, equivalent to $16.50 to $25 for 12 to 15 hour work days. The demand was for at least 450 rand a day, roughly $60.
"We are freezing," said Denis Manganye. "They said this World Cup we would be getting money. Where is the money?"
Another commenter summed: “I’m not happy, but I’m alright.”
As a result of the turmoil many strikers at Ellis Park halted official duties to rejoin and chant the phrase “everywhere we go, we have rights.” In Durban protestors danced and chanted at the Moses Mabhida stadium. Swelling numbers forced police to shepherd people into an enclosed area. Otherwise they watched but did not interfere; however on Sunday after a match between Germany and Australia were forced to use tear gas and batons when a small dispute broke out amongst spectators.
In Durban alone over 2000 stewards engaged in the active strike, pleading that FIFA organizers take the matter into their own hands and determine what they should earn for working at the tournament. Many demonstrators left when they were paid about 200 rand to return their orange bibs.
"We are trying to gather more information, so we can attempt to engage FIFA and the local organizing committee and find a solution," South http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_sp_so_ne/soc_wcup_security_protest_11 Transport and Allied Workers Union coordinator Mzwandile Jackson Simon said. "There are indications they are willing to work something out. I don't think police will manage on their own."
Chief Executive of the World Cup organizing committee Danny Jordaan confirmed that the situation was dire and that he respects workers’ rights but that the day’s protests were “unacceptable,” and that “authorities will not hesitate to take action in such instances.”
Indeed the ongoing strike crisis threatens to shroud the World Cup altogether. In a world event so heavily focused on global unity, humanity, and competitive equality, it is perhaps an irony to cherish that workers are complaining of inequality and disrespect of basic rights. Surely they must have reason, and what better forum than the World Cup to express such discontent?
The situation reminds that sports are never simply just about sports, but that sport itself is always wrapped up in the political throes of the times.
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