Refuse removal services have resumed in the eThekwini Municipality with striking Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) employees returning to work on Tuesday.

According to the municipality refuse removal services resumed after the Municipality gave all striking EPWP employees an ultimatum to report to work on Monday afternoon or face having their contracts terminated.

The municipality said it took the decision to give the striking waste workers an ultimatum after they failed to return to work when they agreed to do so at an extensive consultation held with the employees on Sunday.

The workers continued to strike demanding full time employment while preventing some Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit employees from executing their duties.

Working to clear the backlog

In a statement released on Tuesday the Municipality assured residents that all Cleansing and Solid Waste operations have resumed and strike action has been called off.

“Furthermore, human resource capacity has been increased to ensure that the refuse removal backlog is cleared by the end of this week,” the municipality explained.

“The City would like to apologise to residents and businesses for any inconvenience caused. Residents are also urged to exercise patience during this time as the City works around the clock to clear the waste collection backlog,” it concluded.