Singing South African firefighters dispute pay at Fort McMurray wildfire

South African firefighters who made international headlines for singing when they arrived in Canada have now turned to protests to dispute the wagesthey're being paid.

About 300 firefighters who came to Alberta last month to help fight the Fort McMurrayfiredid not report for work Wednesday because of a pay dispute.

Song and dance at the EIA

8 years ago

Duration 0:33

281 firefighters from South Africa landed in Edmonton Sunday, and took time for a quick song before heading north to help fight the Fort McMurray wildfire.

Ditiro Moseki, one of the firefighters based at a camp north of Fort McMurray, said theyare being paid $15 a day.

"It's 15 not even per hour, it's 15 per day," said Moseki.

• South African firefighters in pay dispute to leave Fort McMurray early
• South African firefighters arrive eager to help

While that mayseem hard to believe, given that Alberta expects to moveto a $15-an-hour minimum wage by 2018, a contract thought to be between the firefighters and their employer seems to back up the claim.

The Alberta government says it made a deal with the South African government for the firefighters' services.

It shows the firefighters signed a contract that stated they would be paid a total of $50 a day, split into two payments.

The contract agrees to pay them $15 a day now, with the balance of $35 a day paid out within six months of their returnto South Africa.

Fire crews upset about media reports

Moseki agreedfirefighters did sign the contract, but saidthey have since been unsettled by media reports claiming they're making much more money.

He said newsarticles quotedthe South African government program that employs the crews claiming the workers are making between $15 and $21 an hour.

"We are not here for money, we are here to assist you," said Moseki, adding the firefighters have turned to the South African commissioner in Canada for help to resolve the issue.

The contract does make it clear the money the firefighters are being paid is over and above their home wages, which were not disclosed.

RAW: South African firefighters sing and dance at the airport

8 years ago

Duration 2:50

Keena Chipasoose Half shot this video of the South African firefighters performing for a welcoming crowd at the Edmonton International Airport

The provincial government confirmed the South African firefighters did not work Wednesday because of the pay dispute.

"We contract with the South African government based on a rate per day per firefighter," AlbertaAgriculture and Forestry said in a statement. "We're paying the rate. It's our understanding these firefighters are being paid what they agreed to before they arrived. But if there is a disagreement here, it's between the firefighters and their employer and not with the Government of Alberta."

The ministry said the firefighters are employed bythe Government of South Africa.

The province said the contract was originally to bring the firefighters to Alberta for 18 days.They arrived in Alberta on May 29.

The contract callsfor the South African firefighters to work 12 hours per day on a 14-day work cycle, with three days off at the end of 14 days.

The crews are meeting with South African officials.

CBC could not reach the South African government for comment.