Talks during the public briefing sessions on taxi industry sector started in earnest in Polokwane (Limpopo) on Tuesday, with labour officials engaging with the industry role players about minimum wage increment, amongst other things.
The current minimum wage on the sector will expire on 30 June 2013 and the engagements were aimed at soliciting inputs from the employers and employees about the new minimum wage dispensation for the sector, to determine the mechanism to be utilised for the annual increases and to also look at any other conditions related to the operations within the sector.
Mogodi Masenya, Assistant Director in the department said “this process should mainly be driven by you as the role players of the industry because you know the industry more than we do.”
The Sectoral Determination on Taxi Industry was promulgated on 28 April 2005.
One taxi owner, who appealed for more of such consultations, said it was ill-advised to bring the employers and employees in one forum over such issues. The greatest recipe that may cause problems and stall the whole process is to put both the employers and employees in one venue when discussing anything relating to wages.”
Another one said “some of us are still facing difficulties to cope after the introduction of taxi recapitalisation with some of our colleagues forced out of the industry. “While you are in the process of increasing these minimum wages, such needs to be considered.”
The current minimum wage put a taxi driver at R2 449.90 per month, administration worker at R2 449.90 monthly, while the rank marshal takes home R1 959.40 monthly and any one not specified pocket R1 713.70 per month.
Masenya said “the criteria to be followed during the input by the industry role players should be creation and retention of employment, ability for the employers to conduct business successfully, alleviation of poverty, cost of living as well as wage differential and inequality.”
He said boarding allowance for the period of 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 is paid at R279.93, or an employer must arrange accommodation for an employee, “and this is also under review.”
The public briefings on the sector and Hospitality sector will continue in Phalaborwa on Wednesday, with site visits in selected hotels and lodges within the area.
Enquiries:
Johannes Mokou
Cell: 083 494 2180
