South Africa's domestic workers were edging closer to being covered by the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (Coida) Act, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant told workers in Soweto today.
Oliphant told workers during a Domestic Worker Imbizo held at the Grace Bible Church that the Act was currently undergoing a Parliamentary review and would be passed in the near future.
She further indicated that the Unemployment Insurance Act was also being reviewed. She said the review would include extending benefits to workers when going on maternity, extending the claim period and the benefit's timeframe.
Oliphant pleaded with domestic workers to register for UI benefits at Labour Centres. She said these benefits extend to both South African and legal foreign nationals working locally as domestics.
The Minister said a number of public hearings were planned on the review of the laws, and appealed to domestic workers to participate.
In terms of the Sectoral Determination that governs the minimum wages of domestic workers and conditions of employment workers in the sector, especially those who work in major metropolitan areas and work over for over 45 hours a week the minimum wage per month is currently fixed at R1 877,70 until 30 November 2014.
Domestic Workers have a right to - annual leave, domestic workers may take paid leave to attend to certain family situations requires that employers give domestic workers certain details of their employment in writing, domestic workers may take paid leave to attend to certain family situations.
The Act does not allow for the employment of children under the age of 15. The Act also gives pregnant domestic workers the right to take maternity leave, allows for deductions from a domestic worker’s pay only under certain conditions.
Oliphant told the consultative forum that South Africa has 663 331 registered domestic workers, however this was a far cry from the number of domestic workers employed in the country. She challenged the department's inspectorate to up its game and ensure that domestic workers are registered and afforded worker rights.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela, Acting Ministerial Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 808 2168
E-mail: mokgadi.Pela@labour.gov.za
