Former Nedlac Executive Director and now special advisor to the Minister of Labour, Herbert Mkhize has called on social partners from business, labour and government to join hands in the war against non-compliance with the labour laws of the country.
Mkhize was addressing the tripartite stakeholder workshop on building a collaborative effort in regard to enforcement on behalf of his principal, Nelisiwe Mildred Oliphant in Benoni today, 10 Feruary 2012. The meeting, which was organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), was attended by the Nedlac social partners who aimed to strengthen inspection and enforcement.
“As government we have a moral duty to do something about non-compliance and we need you as our social partners to join hands with us in the war against non-compliance.
“Why do we have to use the law to cajole citizens to do the right thing? Why do we have to tighten inspectorate sections of labour legislation to achieve improved compliance? Why do we have to deploy an army of inspectors to police compliance with what is considered to be human rights?” Mkhize asked.
Mkhize said it was frustrating that when the labour relations act was promulgated 10 years ago, it was hailed as amongst the best in the world.
“I also know that the labour laws in South Africa are a product of a robust social dialogue. It therefore becomes hard to understand why parties would, when they step out of he negotiating room, start taking pot-shots at the very deal they concluded; mind-bogging and indeed and absurd state of affairs!”
Siyanda Nxawe, Deputy Director General for Inspection and Enforcement services, said the workshop would culminate in a memorandum of understanding in order to strengthen the whole inspection and enforcement as pioneered by the ILO.
Other speakers said the workshop would go a long way towards making the ILO’s decent work agenda a reality.
Enquiries:
Sekhothali Lerotholi
Tel: 011 853 0500
Cell: 083 67 87 558
E-mail: Sekhothali.lerotholi@labour.gov.za
