DOL briefs Select Committee on new IT staff
The Department of Labour (DoL) has on Wednesday briefed the Select Committee on Labour and Public Enterprises on its recent acquisition of 96 staffers from IT company, EOH, following months of protracted negotiations.
The staffers were transferred to the Department at the end of 10 year agreement between the Department and Siemens, which was later bought by EOH.
Acting Director-General of the Department, Sam Motorola, said the Department of Labour had looked at various options to continue with information and communications technology (ICT) services after the termination support period.
“We were however, compelled through Section 197 of the Labour Relation Act, to take over the service provider’s employees,” he said.
In terms of Section 197, the agreement dictated that
- Employees transferred were all employees who were directly involved in providing IT services to the DOL.
- Contract employees, shared employees of the service provider and employees not providing IT services were not transferred.
- Terms and conditions of employment of each employee remained substantially the same
- Leave accruals and pension funds transferred to DOL
- Employees have employment continuity (i.e. years of service carried over to DOL)
Priscilla Themba, Chairperson of the committee, said: “We welcome this information as it provides us with details we have requested for many years. It would however, have been ideal if the presentation had also told us how this ICT transition has improved service delivery.”
Enquiries:
Page Boikanyo
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 809 3195
