workers share views
13 March 2009
It was a moment of pleasure for the scores of domestic workers in Sea Point,
Cape Town last night as they filled the local St James Church to capacity,
exchanging views with Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana on various issues in
their sector.
The workers who invited the minister to address and give them advice on,
among others, the labour law as well as their rights and obligation pertaining
to their respective workplaces, had requested the gathering, which also
featured the department's top managers.
Addressing them, Minister Mdladlana said the majority of the country's
domestic workers were not sure of their rights and were as a result often
victims of unfair labour practice from their individual employers. He said it
was important for both them and their employers to understand that the
Constitution protects everyone from exploitation.
"Domestic employees in this country represent a class of the most vulnerable
workers. I am delighted that they themselves took the initiative to organise
this gathering while we were addressing their colleagues in Stellenbosch last
month. Gatherings of this nature assist in getting us to enlighten them about
their rights," he said.
The issues that the workers raised with the minister and his team ranged
from the use of labour brokers to the exploitation of foreigners by employers,
on which the minister reiterated his strong condemnation of unlawful
recruitment and exploitation of workers regardless of their origins.
Earlier in the day, Minister Mdladlana had addressed teachers in Parow
during his ongoing Western Cape election campaign that included visits to
Outshoorn and Ladysmith.
Tomorrow he will attend the Jobs Security Conference of the National Union
of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) in Midrand, Johannesburg which will
also be addressed by President Kgalema Motlanthe. On Sunday the minister will
proceed to the African National Congress (ANC) rally in Knysna, Western
Cape.
Enquiries:
Zingisile Mapazi
Cell: 078 803 7879
Issued by: Department of Labour
13 March 2009
