The Department of Labour’s inspection into the hospitality sector got into full swing at various workplaces in Lebowakgomo, south of Polokwane, with officials looking at compliance with various labour legislations.
Areas of focus for inspectors included compliance with overall conditions of employment, existence of payslips, lunch time, contracts of employment and payment of overtime for workers as well as adherence to the occupational health and safety Act.
This forms part of the national week-long campaign being spearheaded by labour Minister Mildred Oliphant as well as leaders from organised labour to protect vulnerable workers in this sector.
Lebowakgomo team leader, Lesley Nkosi, said the inspection is also aimed at assisting the employers to comply with the law.
“We do not only adopt a stick approach, we want to use these inspections to create awareness amongst employers and how we can help grow this industry.
Caswell Chiloane, owner of Master Guesthouse, said “We appreciate the educative role being played by the labour inspectors with these inspections.”
Nkosi also used the opportunity to educate employers about the need to use the department’s Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA), which links available skills with vacancies in the labour market.
“If you have a vacancy and you want someone with skills, you can use our database to get suitably qualified candidates and even conduct interviews at our offices freely without any interference.”
Nkosi also said employers are required to provide uniform to workers free of charge.
The current minimum wage for the sector stands at R 2415 per month for employers with less than 10 employees, while those with more than 10 workers should pay a monthly minimum wage of R 2695.
