Stakeholders call for a single national sectoral determination for private security in the Department of Labour Public hearings
Stakeholders in the private security sector have called on the Department of Labour to devise a single national sectoral determination (SD) governing minimum wage and conditions of employment, so as to eliminate undue exploitation in the sector.
Worker representatives said the regional demarcations and accompanying unequal sectoral determinations were exposing small companies to poaching and exploitation of workers. The workers argue that the principle of "equal pay for work of equal value should apply".
They also argue that the exploitative situation was also exacerbated by the growth of fly-by-night companies. Worker representatives also argue that clients do not conduct checks on credentials of companies getting tenders, and on whether they abide by labour legislation.
The Private Security Sectoral Determination is coming to an end this year and the Department of Labour has begun a process following an order by Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant to review prescribing minimum wages and conditions of employment in the sector.
The Department of Labour is inviting all stakeholders in Private Security Sector who are directly and indirectly affected including employers, employers organisation, employees, and trade unions to attend national public hearings in which they will be allowed to voice their inputs.
In terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) Labour Minister should consult with stakeholders in the sector with the aim to source information in relation to the wage adjustment.
The private security sector employs plus or minus 1 070 387. The Sectoral Determination for Private Security Sector in South Africa was published in the government gazette of 30th November 2001 and provisions in respect of minimum wages became applicable on 10 December 2001.
Prior to the promulgation the private security sector like any other sectors they were covered by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. The current minimum wages in Private Security sector lapses on 31 August 2015, and the new minimum wages should be in effect from the 1 September 2015.
The national roadshows began on 4 February 2015 in Klerksdorp, North West and in Thohoyandou Labour Centre in Limpopo province - respectively.
The last public hearings will be held tomorrow (12 March) in East London's Department of Labour Provincial Office and on Friday this week at 4 Leeds Street in Umtata.
Department of Labour, Senior Practitioner of Employment Standards sub-directorate, Nkululeko Ngwenya said the department will still accept inputs until the end of March 2015.
Issues discussed during national public hearings also include: special allowances, cleaning allowance, maternity leave, night shift, Temporary Employment Services and overtime.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Acting Departmental Spokesman
Cell: 082 808 2168
