8 May 2007
The exploitation of workers within the hospitality industry will soon be a
thing of the past as Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana will be announcing
the industry's sectoral determination for the first time in Cape Town. The
determination will cover workers in hotels, resorts, small, micro and
medium-sized enterprises. This announcement follows an intensive five-year
investigation by the Employment Conditions Commission (ECC), which advises the
Minister about wages and other conditions of employment.
The ECC surveyed 900 employers and 1 087 workers, distributed about 100 000
research reports, followed by information sharing sessions, public hearings and
the establishment of a representative working committee. This was done to
ensure that the determination addresses the sector-specific needs and that the
wages are pegged at the appropriate level. Investigations also revealed that
there are 568 300 workers employed in the industry and that there were 40 430
enterprises involved.
Apart from announcing the hospitality determination, the Minister will also
table the employment equity report after receiving it from the Commission for
Employment Equity. The future of Sector Education and Training Authorities
(Setas) will come under spotlight. This happens against the backdrop of
relentless calls for the scrapping of Setas.
These announcements will happen on Monday, 14 May, the eve of the crucial
Budget Vote speech in Parliament on Tuesday, 15 May.
Enquiry:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
E-mail: www.labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
8 May 2007
