Factors influencing labour unrest : a case of construction employees residing in Quarry Road West informal settlement.

Abstract

The study explored the factors that influenced labour unrest at the Umgeni Road Interchange Construction Site (URICS) whilst focusing on the dimensions of employee benefits, collective bargaining and communication. It is advocated that a lack of employee benefits, collective bargaining and communication has the potential to lead to labour unrest. Hence, these factors were explored. The research was conducted at the Quarry Road West Informal settlement (QRWIS) as most of the construction employees who worked at the Umgeni Road Interchange Construction Site, reside at this informal settlement. The study used an exploratory and descriptive research design underpinned by a quantitative research methodology. Cluster sampling was used to extract the respondents for the study. The study comprised of a sample of 50 construction employees from the Quarry Road West Informal Settlement. Questionnaires were used as the main data collection method whose psychometric property of validity was ensured using face and content validity, and pilot testing. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics and presented using tabular and graphical representations. The study found significant correlations and relationships between collective bargaining, communication, employee benefits and labour unrest. The results also show that, labour unrest is influenced by these factors (collective bargaining, communication and employee benefits). The study contributes to the better understanding of these factors influencing labour unrests and the negative effects these factors may have on the organisation if they are not dealt with accordingly. Recommendations based on the results of the study are graphically presented, which when effectively implemented has the potential to reduce labour unrest in the future.