farms
15 February 2007
As the farming sector workplace blitz inspections hit the Free State
goldfields of Welkom next Monday, 19 February, labour inspectors will be hoping
the high rate of compliance with the labour laws they registered in Kroonstad
recently is actually the trend.
The scrutiny forms part of the government's workplace law enforcement drive
to ensure that both workers and employers not only understand the various
regulations on health, safety, minimum wage and other working conditions, but
follow them to the letter.
Labour inspectors discovered last month that employers in various sectors
did not comply with the labour laws in the northern Free State, with almost
half out of a total of close to a hundred employers in Sasolburg bending the
law. Officials then widened the net to include farms. They were encouraged to
record an 88 percent adherence rate in Kroonstad and surrounding areas. Next
week's five-day raids will be conducted on about 24 farms in areas including
Welkom, Wesselsbron and Allanridge where conformity checks will include
Occupational Health and Safety and the adherence to the Basic Conditions of
Employment.
While Northern Free State farmers were commended for their high rate of law
adherence, the Ministry has expressed hope that more will follow suit. "There
is still substantial room for improvement in the compliance area. I therefore
want to encourage farm workers and farmers to use the services of my inspectors
to assist them with compliance," said Minister Membathisi Mdladlana. The
minimum wage for farm workers was last year increased to R994 per month in Area
A (urban areas) and prescribed at R885 per month in Area B (rural areas). As
from 1 March 2007, minimum wages will increase to R1 041 per month for area A,
and R989 per month for Area B.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
15 February 2007
