Officials of the Department of Labour have embarked on vigorous site visits in the Northern Cape towns of De Aar, Hopetown and Kimberley to pave way for the Minister of labour, Mildred Oliphant to declare a Sectoral determination in the Abattoir industry.
The process, according to John De Klerk, Senior Practitioner in the Employment Standards Section of the department, the engage process involves interviewing both employers and employees.
“We decided to embark on this process following an outcry from labour unions - Hotel, Liquor, Catering, Commercial and Allied Workers Union (HOTELLICCA) and Saccawu that, there is huge exploitation of workers in the industry.”
He said the aim was to: “level the playing fields in the sector so that employees would have an acceptable entry level wage”
Currently, according to some employees, wages vary between R1000-00 and R9000-00 for slaughters.
De Klerk said when it comes to conditions of employment, Abattoir sector employees were covered by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
The site visits campaign (investigations) will conclude in the North West and Western Cape next week before the officials kick start another hectic schedule this time focussing on the farming and forestry sector.
As with the Abattoir sector, the process will culminate with the Minister declaring new sectoral determination as part of her drive to protect vulnerable workers. Before making a determination, the Minister will apply her mind to the inputs of the stakeholder and consider the affordability of the industry as well as the economic situation.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Department Acting Spokesperson
Cell: 082 808 2168
Kebalepile Khula
Northern Cape Provincial Spokesperson
Cell: 061 494 0988
