Labour inspectors today halted operations of potato packaging at Saaiman
Boerdery, Bainsvlei outside Bloemfontein, after the employer was found not complying with labour laws.
The team, led by the Free State Provincial Executive Manager Marsha
Bronkhorst, issued prohibition notices on the use of all sorting and packaging machinery until proper induction training is conducted to workers using the machines and all dangerous machines are safeguarded as per the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
“We are not going to allow situations where an employer puts his profits before the wellbeing of the workers. In this case it is obvious that the employer has not even tried to put anything in place in the interest of his workers’s health and safety. As the Department of Labour we have to demonstrate strong intolerance of each and every employer that refuses to obey the law,” said Ms Bronkhorst.
The employer who has about 50 workers in his employ was issued with numerous contraventions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. These included notices for not providing proper Personal Protective Equipment to all workers as well as not having a valid certificate of compliance for electrical installations.
It was found that the employer has disregarded the Basic Conditions of
Employment Act’s Sectoral Determination for Farm Workers and is paying his workers salaries less than that stipulated in the legislation. No contract of employment and copies of pay slips or any other records were available at the workplace. The workers have no proper sleeping and ablution facilities and food provided is not of an acceptable standard.
The employer was ordered to comply with the legislation within 21 days or face the full might of the law.
The team of labour inspectors was accompanied by the Mangaung Municipality’s Environmental Health Unit and the Human Rights Commission in the Free State.
Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
Cell: 082 806 1351
Issued by: Department of Labour
12 March 2010
