18 April 2007
The Botshabelo community near Bloemfontein in the Free State will now
receive more effective and quicker service from the Labour Department following
the opening of a labour centre to cater for the sprawling township's needs. The
move came about with the elevation of the labour satellite office at the
Botshabelo complex into the new centre as part of the government's ongoing
drive to bring services to the people's doorstep.
Currently there are 10 provincial labour offices and 128 labour centres
countrywide and this is in addition to scores of satellite offices which
include the mobile ones. The new Botshabelo centre means residents will no
longer have to travel the 14 kilometre-stretch to Thaba Nchu for services, as
the two have now swapped roles, with the satellite office now having moved to
the latter area which has lesser public service demands.
The new labour centre boasts a bigger structure in an expanded building with
extra offices, a larger waiting room and more staff. Labour spokesperson Zolisa
Sigabi said the changes were prompted by the fact that on average, Botshabelo
receives about 500 clients monthly with assistance ranging from Unemployment
Insurance applications, enquiries and various cases, whilst Thaba Nchu receives
just about over 100 a month. "This is one of the Department's endeavours to
fast-track service delivery and ensuring that services are always available to
our people," Sigabi said.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
18 April 2007
