Cape Town laborers face extreme hardship seeking daily work

In Wynberg, Cape Town, groups of men gather along Rosmead Avenue daily in hopes of securing manual labor jobs. Many of these workers, primarily from Malawi and Zimbabwe, possess specialized skills such as plumbing, welding, electrical work, painting, and landscaping.

According to reports, these individuals often wait for days or even weeks without securing employment, frequently arriving hungry. When work is found, daily wages typically range between R200 and R700, though some employers reportedly fail to pay at all.

The labor conditions are often precarious. Workers have reported a lack of protective equipment and safety measures. Additionally, some have faced violence, including instances where they were allegedly robbed at gunpoint after being picked up for work.