Labour hosts briefing sessions on national minimum wage as part of Workers' Month, 2 to 31 May

Department of Labour workshops trade union members as part of its Workers Month Campaign

“The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is not a living wage, it is the minimum wage below which no worker should be paid,” Isaac Mogoase – Labour Inspector for Bloemfontein Labour Centre told Federal Council of Retail and Allied Workers (FEDCRAW) Union members during their May Day event.  Held at Batho Community Hall in Bloemfontein, this May Day event was organised for the Department of Labour to workshop union members on different pieces of labour legislation.

“In terms of the National Minimum Wage Bill, farm and forestry workers as well as domestic workers will be paid 90%, and 75% of the NMW respectively.  Of critical importance to note is the fact that these wages will be adjusted within a two-year transitional period to ultimately be in line with the NMW,” explained Mr. Mogoase.

Other labour laws which will inevitably change to accommodate provisions of the NMW Bill are the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.  These Acts will also address issues talking to hours of work and the rights and processes to follow if workers want to embark on industrial actions.

Tsietsi Mosothoane – Frontline Supervisor for Bloemfontein Labour Centre presented amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act. “In terms of Section 12 of the UI Act the Unemployment Insurance Fund was paying no more than 238 credit days, but will be paying up to 365 credit days as per the new proposed amendments,” he said.

Another amendment speaks to the extension of the period for the beneficiary to claim for benefits. “In terms of the current Act, the unemployed beneficiaries are eligible to claim for benefits within six months from the date of termination of service, the amendments have extended this period to 12 months,” Mr Mosothoane told union members.

He, however, emphasised the fact that these amendments are not yet effective and that therefore means the status quo remains until such time the effective date of the said amendments is announced.

“We are very grateful for all presentations made today.  I am of the view that we are better equipped to assist our members as the trade union with their cases and, in turn, our members are now familiar with all these labour laws meant to protect their rights as workers and will definitely use them to shield themselves against any form of abuse mooted against them by employers.  This workshop is indeed the step in the right direction in our quest to free workers from the shackles of unscrupulous and non-compliant employers” said Shadrack Matsela – Event Organiser for FEDCRAW.

This workshop was setting the tone for the month-long Workers Month campaign of the Department of Labour.  This campaign will see top management of the Department in the Free State visiting a variety of workplaces in and around the province to engage and interact with workers on labour laws, the services of the Department in general as well as some of the concerns and challenges they may have about their individual employers. On the same token, workers will also be advocated on their rights and obligations insofar as those services are concerned.

These workplace visits will be augmented by blitz inspections which will be conducted in problematic sectors such as Agriculture, Hospitality as well as Wholesale and Retail. Other sectors targeted during this important calendar month include Private Security, Food and Beverages, Petro-chemical and Community.   

Officials from other Business Units of the Department of Labour such as Public Employment Services, Compensation Fund and Unemployment Insurance Fund will also present and market their services to workers during these inspections and walk-abouts.

Underneath please find the action plan for activities planned for Workers Month;

For enquiries
Provincial Communication Officer
Cell: 076 092 8152

Teboho Thejane
Cell: 0826970694