Well over 100 000 Private Security industry workers are set to benefit from a hectic program of public briefings into the wages and conditions of employment following a series of meetings conducted in Limpopo this week.
The briefing sessions which are part of the investigations by the Department of Labour’s Employment Conditions Commission (ECC) - started on Tuesday in Thohoyandou and proceeded to Tzaneen before concluding in Polokwane on Friday. The sessions, which were also held simultaneously in the Eastern Cape, drew an enthusiastic audience from the industry players ranging from owners of private security firms, trade unionists, employees and government officials.
The ECC is the body which advices the Minister of Labour on wages and other conditions of employment in various sectors.
Titus Mtsweni Acting Director: Employment Standards in the Department of Labour, said the timing of the sessions was ideal in that they took place before the annual increment of wages on September 1. “We would like to hear what the industry stakeholders are suggesting before Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant put her pen to paper on the proposals.
The issue here is to find out whether the sector can carry the proposed changes of employment conditions including the changes in minimum wages without creating a burden that may lead in the collapse of businesses while at the same time avoiding a situation where people just go to work for the sake of going without anything to show,” Mtsweni said.
The current minimum wage dispensation which stands at R 2 093 for the sector expires on 31 August 2012. This therefore means that a new minimum wage dispensation for the sector needs to be published by 1 September 2012.
He said issues to be considered in determining the appropriate level of minimum wages should consider amongst others the ability by employers to conduct business successfully, creation and retention of employment; effect on small business, alleviation of poverty and cost of living.
Reacting to the demands by the security industry workers for the medical aid scheme to be introduced, Mtsweni said more research still needs to be done before a commitment can be made around this issue.
Enquiries:
Johannes Mokou
Cell: 0829081833
Good times about to roll for Security industry workers
