Labour inspectors are turning their focus on rooting out any acts of illegal Child Labour practices in the Western Cape this week.
Western Cape’s Chief Director, Teboho Thejane said "Inspectors will be visiting more than 150 farms, restaurants and other workplaces in the Stellenbosch area starting this Monday, hunting for this unlawful practice."
According to Thejane “the campaign which runs from 28 March - 1 April 2011 will culminate into the National Child Labour Day to be commemorated by Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant in Stellenbosch on 4 April 2011. Over 150 school children between the ages of 10 and 14 years will be attending this event. Key stakeholders in the Child Protection fraternity will also be attending this event.”
According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, it is a criminal offence to employ a child under the age of 15, except if you have a permit from the department to employ children in the performing arts. Children aged 15 to 18 may not be employed to do work inappropriate for their age or work that places them at risk.
The Act further states that, any work performed by a child should not be exploitative, hazardous or otherwise inappropriate for the child’s age; detrimental to the child’s schooling; and detrimental to the child’s social, physical, mental, spiritual or moral development.
During this week, inspectors will also be checking compliance with all other labour laws, compliance with Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, Unemployment Insurance Fund Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act as well as other pieces of legislation will be scrutinised.
Enquiries:
Temba Gubula (Department of Labour Provincial Spokesperson)
Cell: 078 735 8809
Page Boikanyo (Departmental Spokesperson)
Cell: 082 809 3194
Source: Department of Labour
