Labour on changing the lives of the people for the better through effective delivery of services

Department of Labour changing the lives of the people for the better through effective delivery of services

Clients were ecstatic for having their UIF applications taken, processed and paid instantly.  No less than 10 applicants came to apply and/or enquire about their benefits after their termination of services with their respective employers.  Amos Tsotetsi is one such client whose application was processed and paid on site. 

“I came for the very first time to apply for my unemployment benefits after loosing my job in January 2019.  My application was paid immediately, and this money will assist a lot in providing for my family.  I will use some to market myself for new employment opportunities, and will start with registering my CV on the Department of Labour database,” he said. This father of two could not hold himself with excitement expressing his satisfaction about the excellent service he got from the Department.  He vouched to spread the word that the Department of Labour truly cares for its clientele.

Residing in Dinkweng which is one of the villages in QwaQwa, where the Department’s Service Delivery campaign was held, is Tshepo Molefe who also came to enquire about his rejected claim for unemployment benefits.  This 39 year old was ill for a long period of time and missed the deadline to apply for benefits.  Upon further scrutiny of his claim and the application of the amended Unemployment Insurance Act, the claim was overturned and paid immediately.  In terms of this new Act, applicants can apply for benefits within 12 months, as opposed to the 6 months period as per the old Act.

“I am one of the beneficiaries of the poverty alleviation programme called Extended Public Works Programme and worked under this programme until December 2017.  I only applied for benefits in July 2018, seven months post the termination of my service, thus my application was rejected.  I am overjoyed that my claim was approved and paid instantly and will now be able to buy clothes for my son and provide for other basic necessities,” Mr Molefe jovially said.

Compensation Fund also processed and paid eligible Injury on Duty Claimants right on the spot.  Robert Khaba and Thoko Agnes Motahane’s claims are a case in point.  The latter broke her leg whilst working for a company called Mountain Lodge in Bergville and qualified for a pay-out amounting to 15% permanent disablement, with the former also breaking his leg whilst performing his official duties for a company called Group 2 Trading Enterprise, and qualifying for 4% permanent disablement.

Those employers flouting labour legislation have got nowhere to hide as Labour Inspectors are hot on their heels.  A criminal case was opened against one such employer, based in Phuthaditjhaba Industrial Area 1, after it was discovered during the inspection that he was contravening sections 80(1), 82, 86 read with 87, of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 130 of 1993.  In terms of this Act, the employer failed to register with Compensation Fund Commissioner within seven days after the day on which he employed his first employee.  Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and will be liable to a fine or 1 year imprisonment. 

A total of 8 Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspections were also conducted in the Wholesale and Retail, Iron and Steel and Construction sectors, and all were found wanting in terms of the OHS Act. Two more companies failed to adhere to section 56(3) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, which refers to the declaration of employees with the UIF and section 56(1) read with subsection 3 of the same Act which talks to registration as an employer with UIF as well as declaration of employees.

Four more employers were inspected and issued with compliance orders for noncompliance with the National Minimum Wage. Calculations are currently being done to determine the exact amount owed to each affected employee. A subpoena was issued against one employer to appear before a Labour Inspector to produce documents on the 09th of April 2019 as the employer failed to avail himself for the inspection.

Public Employment Services (PES), a branch within the Department of Labour, took a total of 73 CVs which will be loaded on the Departmental database and provided employment counselling to 36 work seekers. PES registered a total of 78 job opportunities solicited from different employers in the banking, construction, retail, security and public sectors.  In addition to that, a total of 11 work seekers have already been placed for general work opportunities in the construction sector.

Other government departments and state agencies such as Department of Health, Home Affairs, SAPS, and Maluti TVET College continued to render their services.

The campaign trail will now head to Thaba Tshweu before its next stopover in Bolata.

The schedule for other areas is as follows;

-Ends-

For enquiries:
Josial Ramokoena
Provincial Communication Officer: Free State
Cell: 0760928157
Email: josial.ramokoena@labour.gov.za