sector
20 March 2007
Security industry workers have called on the government to introduce a
minimum wage in their sector to address shortcomings in their conditions of
service.
The call was made by members of the South African Transport and Allied
Workers Union (Satawu) during a march to the Labour Department regional offices
in downtown Johannesburg today (Tuesday).
The marchers delivered a memorandum meant for Labour Minister Membathisi
Mdladlana, who is currently in Switzerland chairing an International Labour
Organisation Governing Body meeting.
Iphapharus Motimele, assistant manager for Inspection and Enforcement
Services, who received the memorandum on the Minister's behalf, said: "I
understand what you are going through. I will hand it over to the authorities
at our head office in Pretoria."
The protesters said: "We request the Minister to institute a full
investigation into the correct wages that should be paid to the security
industry workers. Also, we ask the Minister to look at terms and conditions of
employment in our sector so as to outlaw contract work and other forms of
atypical employment."
Satawu also demanded that the Minister should establish an "Illegal
Practices Committee in all provinces focusing on all issues of non-compliance
in the sector so as to minimise unfair competition that results in the
undermining of labour standards."
Other demands include ensuring that "government, parastatals and private
sector policies should be involved in the awarding of tenders and contracts to
ensure compliance by security providers."
The union further urged the Minister to speed up his research into atypical
employment and other unfair practices in the industry. Satawu also said time
had come for the role of labour brokers to be investigated as this affected its
members "negatively."
The security industry employs just over 210 000 workers, most of whom are
non-unionised.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Departmental spokesperson
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
20 March 2007
