The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has rejected allegations that its officials have harassed or victimised porters working at OR Tambo International Airport.
This comes after porters staged a protest at the airport on Tuesday, alleging that Acsa officials had removed some of their permits and were victimising them and not allowing them access to certain parts of the airport.
Acsa said in a statement on Thursday that it acknowledged the porters’ concerns, which were raised in an IOL media report this week.
However, it said the porters were not employees of the airports company but rather independent workers who were permitted to work at the airport, primarily earning an income through tips from passengers.
“While we respect the right of porters to express their grievances, Acsa strongly rejects the mischaracterisation of our role and the implications of ‘harassment’, ‘victimisation’, and ‘exploitation’ in the article,” the airport company said.
“Acsa is not involved in the hiring, compensation, or organisational structure of the porters. Therefore, any claims suggesting that Acsa has direct control over their financial or employment arrangements are inaccurate.
“Regarding the specific concerns raised by the porters, it is important to clarify that Acsa enforces security and operational protocols in accordance with national and international aviation safety standards.
“These protocols are in place to ensure the safety and security of all passengers, airport personnel, and assets. As per these regulations, all individuals operating within the airport, including porters, are required to comply with established security procedures. If a porter violates security measures or operates outside of their designated areas, they may face disciplinary action, including a warning or permit revocation.”
Acsa added that it provided designated working areas for porters to operate within to maintain an orderly and safe environment.
“It is crucial that porters adhere to these designated zones to ensure smooth airport operations. Any restrictions on their work arise from non-compliance with these security and operational guidelines, not arbitrary decisions by Acsa.
“While we reject any claims that porters are being mistreated, exploited, or unfairly restricted from earning a livelihood by Acsa officials, we remain committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders to address any legitimate concerns raised while upholding the security and integrity of airport operations.”
Acsa said it would continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to foster a fair and safe working environment for everyone.
