The Department of Labour has developed a code of conduct which will underpin the professionalisation of the work of inspectors as a way of rooting out alleged malpractices among inspectors, Labour Minister Nelisiwe Oliphant said in East London.
She was addressing a national conference of inspectors attended by hundreds of delegates from National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) social partners of government, business, labour and the community.
“The commitment to the values in the code will ensure Labour inspectorate operates in a transparent and accountable manner. Implementation of the Code will also provide protection for all employees of the Labour Inspectorate in the proper exercise of their role” Oliphant said.
The Labour Minister said honesty, justice and courtesy form the moral basis which constitutes the foundation of ethics within the profession.
Oliphant said a credible Labour inspection system is vital to ensuring the development of a sound and stable Labour market. She said Labour inspectors were ideally placed to assist workplaces to meet safe, equitable and decent work standards.
She said for inspectors to positively influence behaviour in the workplace they should be beyond reproach.
“Building and fostering the foundations of a credible, effective and fair Labour inspection system depends largely on being able to demonstrate integrity,’’ she said.
The minister said Labour inspection has the additional role of ensuring that Labour laws are “given practical effect and become actual standards for workers.’’
She said as part of strengthening the department’s capacity for enforcement, “we had to engage the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for assistance in redefining and repositioning us in order to deliver on our mandate.’’
She said the cooperation with the ILO resulted in the formation of a technical partnership arrangement aimed at boosting the Labour inspection system in the country. Oliphant also paid tribute to the Norwegian in the strengthening of the Labour inspection system.
The minister used the opportunity to publicly hand over the Paarl print and Assmang incident reports to the National Prosecuting Authority. She said that the two incidents had generated quite a lot of media and public interest. “We do not have prosecutorial powers we rely heavily on the capacity of the prosecuting authority to take our matters to finality.
Enquiries:
Mzobanzi Jikazana
Cell: 083 641 2355
Vuyokazi Mbanjwa
Cell: 082 889 3936
Source: Department of Labour
Inspectors code the way to go - Oliphant
