Reitz farmers score low on labour law compliance - DoL
Blitz inspections conducted by tough-as-nails officials of the Department of Labour on Thursday have revealed high levels of non-compliance with labour laws by farmers in Reitz, Free State.
According to a consolidated report compiled by inspectors, most farmers were found to be wanting in the areas of occupational health and safety (OHS) as well as the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).
All in all, a total of 17 farms were visited with inspectors being joined by Marsha Bronkhorst, chief director provincial operations, Thobile Lamati, deputy director-general responsible for inspection and enforcement services Aggie Moiloa, chief operations officer as well as Sam Mashinini, provincial secretary of Cosatu.
Musa Zondi, ministerial spokesperson, said non-compliance led the department issuing six prohibition notices, a total of 12 contravention notices and only five undertaking notices.
A prohibition notice is issued in the case of a life-threatening situation being posed to the workers. A contravention notice relates to non-compliance with sections of the OHS laws while an undertaking is a promise by the employer to abide by the law within a specific period, usually 21 days.
In the main, inspectors found that some workers operating forklift machines without the requisite certificate. Other notices related to boilers being used without the approval of the department as well as the approved inspection authority.
Regarding contravention notices, the department found employers failing to provide workers with personal protective clothing and equipment as well as toilette facilities either lacking or leaving too much to be desired.
Mashinini urged non-compliant employers to follow in the footsteps of those abiding by the laws of the country and treating workers humanely.
Lamati said the inspections were aimed at educating both employers and employees about their responsibilities with regard to both OHS and BCEA.
For her part, Bronkhorst, said employers should not take short cuts with the laws of the country and not stick to the bare minimum compliance.
Zondi said despite this bleak picture, there were exceptions, with a few employers showing a good attitude towards complying with OHS and labour laws.
One such farmer, Danie Slabbert, SA’s Young Farmer of the Year 2013 said: “It helps if all farmers abide by the labour laws for the good of our country and economic growth. Where we fall short, we should work with the department to correct such.’’
Enquiries:
Musa Zondi
Ministerial Spokesperson
Cell: 082 901 8081
