Cape Town – BMW workers at the Rosslyn plant in Pretoria have gone on strike, accusing management of unfairly targeting them in a medical aid fraud investigation.
According to SABC News, the company involved law enforcement to probe suspicions related to the BMW Employees Medical Aid Scheme.
So far, six workers have been arrested, 20 dismissed, and over 500 are undergoing disciplinary processes, the report said.
BMW workers in Rosslyn, Pretoria downed tools this morning, as Management wants to retrench 700 employees.
The protest started on Friday with one section of production, today they’re resorting to a full blown strike from 6am to 2pm shift. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/6o7BWLr4nE— Ofentse Setimo🇿🇦 (@Stimoroller) September 16, 2024
Numsa’s Regional Secretary, Jerry Morulane, said the union has been negotiating with management to save jobs, arguing that workers were recruited into the fraud scheme by a middleman linked to a doctor, rather than initiating the fraud themselves.
BMW workers have downed tools embarking on a strike action at the plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria. They accuse the management of targeting them over allegations of medical aid fraud at the company #BMWStrike #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/MIWPBOXyCL
— Katlego Legodi (@KatlegoLegodi_) September 16, 2024
Meanwhile, according to IOL, while workers mentioned staff dissatisfaction, BMW South Africa has denied any workforce reductions or shift cuts.
The company emphasised that the strike is linked to the fraud probe and said it will not tolerate bribery, fraud, or corruption.
BMW added that if dismissals occur, they will recruit and upskill new workers to maintain operations.
The company said it is cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
