KwaZulu Natal
8 October 2007
Wages and the conditions of employment for workers in the taxi sector are
set to be reviewed as the Labour Department commences with a countrywide
consultation process and awareness campaign for both workers and employers in
the sector next week.
Public hearings and workshops for drivers and owners will kick off in
KwaZulu-Natal this coming weekend. The first session is scheduled to take place
at Port Shepstone commencing at 10h00 on Sunday, 7 October 2007, at Papper
Port, Umtetweni targeting taxi owners (employers).The second session will be
held on Monday, 8 October 2007 at the same venue for all drivers in the
area.
This would be followed by a similar event in Newcastle to be held on 10
October, at the Farmers Hall for taxi drivers and 11 October, for the employers
(owners) at the same venue.
At the workshops, experts from the department will provide information about
the current Taxi Sectoral Determination which came into effect on the 28 April
2005.The law lays down the employment conditions for taxi drivers and other
workers in the sector such as hours of work, leave, particulars of employment
and termination of employment. It also prescribes the minimum wage that
employers are required to pay.
In addition to the workshops, during the public hearings inputs will be
solicited from employers and employees about their concerns regarding this law
that would be used to review the wages and conditions of employment in the
sector.
Following national consultation process which is set to be completed by the
first week of November 2007, a report will be forwarded to the Employment
Conditions Commission (ECC) that would make recommendations to advise the
Minister of Labour, Membathisi Mdladlana on areas to be reviewed in the
sectoral determination.
All taxi drivers, other workers in the sector and employers are encouraged
to attend these sessions. Events for Durban and Richards Bay areas are still
being planned.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
E-mail: zolisa.sigabi@labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
8 October 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)
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