fatalities
28 September 2007
A government intervention in the labour brokerage system was urgently needed
to address the rampant and unnecessary workplace fatalities, Labour Minister
Membathisi Mdladlana said in Richards Bay this week.
The Minister made the remarks during a visit to the mining company Richards
Bay Minerals KwaZulu-Natal where he was assessing progress made on various
skills related programmes which the department and the company agreed to last
year. He said the bulk of work-related accidents and fatalities were
attributable to the flouting of occupational health and safety measures mainly
where operations were conducted by contracted employers on behalf of someone
else.
"We have to seriously look at ways in which this practice can be closely
monitored and regulated. Contracted employers are always a common factor in all
the tragic accidents that take place, including those at Sasol and Volkswagen.
We have to be vigilant of people who are only interested in profits and making
a quick buck at the expense of health and safety of workers," he said. Richards
Bay Minerals (RBM) is among the 'Big Five' companies in Richards Bay that make
use of the services of labour brokers. Some of the labour brokers offer general
safety induction training to the general community at a cost to the
unemployed.
This practice is in contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety
regulations. RBM deals in mining of titanium dioxide, rutile, high purity iron,
zircon that is used in the manufacture of automobile parts, welding robs and
other chemicals. However, the Minister expressed satisfaction at the fact that
the majority of employees among the nearly 2 000 strong RBM workforces were
unionised. He also commended the company's progress on skills development and
employment equity.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
28 September 2007
