The proposed labour law amendments could see far reaching powers being extended to the Essential Services Committee (ESC) to determine the minimum number of workers expected to be on duty during an industrial action if the disputing parties fail to strike an agreement, a meeting was told in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Ian Macun, director of collective bargaining at the Department of Labour, was speaking during a public briefing session in the Limpopo capital about the road travelled thus far since labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant, subjected among others, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act as well as the Labour Relations Act to public review in December 2010.
The briefing was attended by over 100 stakeholders from business, organised labour, civil society organisations and government.
“We find that in such situations unions want as many workers to be away from work while management on the other hand wants almost everybody to be at work. We now propose that government should be represented on the ESC to help remedy this,’’ he said.
Macun said: “A new category of public officials exercising authority in the name of the state have now been included within an essential service if covered in a minimum service level agreement.’’
These were judicial officers, immigration officials and custom officials.
Turning to proposed changes pertaining to collective bargaining agreements, Macun said these could result in the Minister being able to make provision for the sectoral determination to provide adjustment to minimum rates of pay.
“We all receive cost of living adjustments in our wages every year, why should vulnerable workers not enjoy the same benefits,” he said.
The last round of the briefings will be held in Rustenburg (North West) on May 10 2012.
Enquiries:
Johannes Mokou
Cell: 082 908 1833
Enquiries
Thembinkosi Mkhalipi
Cell: 082 854 4358 or
Ian Macun
Cell: 082 908 2861
Drastic labour law changes on the way - Dol
