Labour Minister, Nelisiwe Oliphant, has reiterated her promise to increase the number of inspectors in order to ensure that inspection and enforcement goes ahead full steam this year.
She was speaking at the official opening of the Mbombela labour centre today, Tuesday. The office, which serves communities of White River, Hazyview, Thulamahashe and Casteel, was closed by the departmental inspectors last year for failing to comply with health and safety regulations. The minister said this showed that the department would stop at nothing to abide by the law.
"You will soon realise that we want to raid farms in places like these unannounced to check the level of compliance with all the labour laws. We will therefore require inspectors to lead this drive. We will work with departments of agriculture, home affairs and others to ensure that errant employers have nowhere to hide,'' she said.
She said the office was strategically placed to service thousands of people in the Mbombela District, home to almost 500 000 economically active people. Oliphant said in the past financial year alone, the office serviced about 8 000 people - most of whom vulnerable workers.
The meeting was also attended by speakers from the local municipality, labour unions as well as the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). All commended the minister and the department for "leading by example'' and showing that the department was the custodian of worker rights.
A speaker from union federation, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), expressed happiness at the "good working relationship'' between the trade union and the department.
Enquiries:
Tony Mphahlele
Tel: 013 655 8776
Mzobanzi Jikazana
Cell: 083 641 2355
Source: Department of Labour
