Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant has told a gathering of the department’s top brass that a total of 9 468 Employment Equity inspections were conducted over the past financial year and 7 449 companies were found to be complying with the labour laws. This represents a whopping 79 percent compliance level.
Oliphant was speaking at the annual evaluation workshop aimed at reviewing the departmental performance over 2010/11 period. The meeting was attended by, among others, chairpersons of the Portfolio Committee on Labour and Select Committee on Labour, public entities including Nedlac, Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and Productivity South Africa.
“The blitz inspections for the period under review were conducted in the wholesale; retail; forestry and agriculture; hospitality sectors; iron and steel and chemicals; construction; private security and malls. A total of 24 013 workplaces were inspected and 60 percent compliance was achieved,’’ said Oliphant.
Turning to the protection of vulnerable workers, the Minister said a total of 157 132 routine inspections were conducted and 124 980 complied which resulted in 80% compliance level. She however, said out of 154 441 complaints received, 120 566 were investigated and 116 131 settled within 90 days resulting in a 75 percent settlement rate and a recovery of more than R16 million.
Oliphant said the department has trained a total of 1 021 shop stewards on Employment Equity Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Enquiries:
Mzobanzi Jikazana
Cell: 083 641 2355
Siyanda Nxawe
Cell: 082 776 2152
Labour department commends high equity compliance level by employers
