The Department of Correctional Services says the fundamentals of the seven-day working week have not been affected by today’s Labour Court interim interdict against the implementation of a new shift system by the KwaZulu-Natal region only.
In line with a Ministerial Directive to use appropriate shift system that would fit the material conditions of each correctional centre, various regions had introduced different shift patterns to ensure that the minimum requirement of a 45- hour work week and the seven-day establishment are complied with.
The court directed that the 10 hour–10-days work-and-4-days-off working arrangement introduced on 1 September 2010 in the KwaZulu-Natal Region of Corrections Services should be reversed for a period of 30 days, pending the final decision of the bargaining council. The Department of Correctional Services and POPCRU declared a dispute on the interpretation of the agreement reached in the General Public Service Sectoral Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) relating to the implementation of the seven-day and 45 hour work week arrangement.
POPCRU in KwaZulu-Natal took their objection to the introduction of the 10 hour–10-days work-and-4-days-off working arrangement to the labour court on 6 September 2010, calling for an urgent interim interdict against the implementation of the new shift system in KZN introduced on 1 September 2010. As directed by the leadership of the Department various regions of Correctional Services are implementing various shift systems that ensure no deviation from the basic seven-day establishment and 45 hour working week.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Tel: 083 626 0304
