Since a mutually acceptable agreement was reached at the end of 2015 Stellenbosch University (SU) has been giving priority attention to the implementation of decisions agreed upon following the strike and protest action by workers of external contractors. These decisions include a once-off payment to workers in December, negotiating with contractors on behalf of workers and establishing a reporting line where workers can report issues.

This forms part of the University's resolve to ensure that workers on all its campuses are treated with respect and human dignity by external service providers. In a communique to staff in December 2015, Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, reiterated: "To our mind, the fundamental issue is one of human dignity. We regard this as non-negotiable and we also expect our external service providers to adhere to this value. We do not wish to be associated with or enter into agreements with any external service provider that does not have regard for the human dignity of its workers."

A committee consisting of representatives from the external workers, students, unions and senior SU staff members, assisted by external mediators, came to an agreement in December 2015, and SU has since focused on the implementation of various decisions:

• Formal interaction with all the external contractors requesting that they should treat workers who participated in protest action without resorting to criminal acts with compassion.
• A formal letter from the Rector to external contractors repeating the above appeal.
• A once-off payment of R2 000 to all the workers of external service providers that were been designated to SU campuses and were affected by the protest actions. Since then some of the cheques issued to individual workers have not been claimed and the Human Resources division is currently tracing these individuals.
• Creating an independent helpline where these workers can lodge any complaints or issues, which SU will then take up directly with their respective employers.

The University is aware of independent disciplinary action against some workers by their employers. Some of these cases have been referred to the CCMA for reconciliation and arbitration, and have to be dealt with in accordance with labour legislation.  The University is monitoring the situation and continuously engages with the top management of the companies involved regarding workers' interests in an effort to seek a speedy, fair and employee friendly outcome to each of these cases. This engagement takes place within the contextual reality that the University cannot legally intervene in a disciplinary process between an independent service provider and some of its employees.

The following aspects of the agreement will be implemented in 2016:

• An investigation into whether former SU employees who have been outsourced along with services, have been suffering any substantial disadvantages as a result, and make recommendations to the SU management regarding appropriate forms of restitution.
• To subsidise the cost to company of workers on our campuses who currently earn (total cost to company) less than R5 000 per month from 1 March 2016. The subsidy will ensure parity with the salary of R5 000 per month at the entry level cost to company of a SU employee at grade 19.

Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, currently acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor while Prof De Villiers is abroad, has appealed to all parties involved to avoid any actions that could put the current agreement under unnecessary pressure, and which could pose a threat to progress. "It would be to the detriment of workers and their families. The University acknowledges the right of workers to engage in peaceful protest action without impacting on the rights of students to register or disrupting the academic project. The human dignity and just treatment of workers are being addressed by the University in partnership with the various role players. It would be an injustice to students to prevent them from registering and starting their academic year."

The Stellenbosch University Council has appointed a business ethics committee that will investigate inhumane and unjust labour practices.