Implementation of NMW still on track – DoL tells employers
The Department of Labour has reassured employers that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is still on track despite the implementation date having been postponed for an unspecified period.
The concern followed the announcement by Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant at a media briefing in Cape Town on Monday that the implementation date – originally set for 1 May – had been postponed to allow parliamentary processes to run its course.
The Minister said the National Assembly has still not finalised its process in terms of the NMW Bill, the same applies for the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) which also has to complete its process in terms of the Bill.
Stephen Rathai: Director of Employment Standards in the Department of Labour, said the postponement is to allow submissions that have been put on the table to be considered in order to avoid the department being taken to court.
Teboho Thejane: Chief Communication Officer at the Department of Labour said, based on the submissions that have been put forward, the implementation has been postponed and the date will be announced soon. We however, wish to reassure all stakeholders that NMW will be implemented as planned.
Earlier, stakeholders wanted to know what the new implementation date would be in light of the Minister’s comments.
The meeting, which was held in Durban, was part of the department’s current round of briefing sessions aimed at employers focusing on the NMW Bill exemptions.
The first in a national series of employers and employer organisations briefing sessions started in Gauteng on the 19th of March in Braamfontein and on the 20th of March in Pretoria. The Department of Labour plans to host 17 briefing sessions nationally.
The employers and employer organisations briefing sessions follows on the heels of those held for trade unions and shop stewards on the implementation of the National Minimum Wage and amendments to labour laws. The 20 briefing sessions were held nationally from November 2017 until February 2018.
The agreed National Minimum Wage at NEDLAC is pegged at R20 an hour for major sectors with the exception of farm/forestry workers, domestic workers and expanded public works programme workers. The status of learnerships is expected to remain unchanged.
The next employer briefing session will be held tomorrow at Umhlathuze local municipality – No 5 Mark Strauss street in Richards Bay.
This will be followed by briefing sessions in North West (03 April in Lichtenburg); Northern Cape (5 April in Springbok; 06 April in Upington); Eastern Cape (09 April in East London; 10 April in Port Elizabeth); Mpumalanga (12 April in Nelspruit; 13 April in Piet Retief); Limpopo (16 April in Tzaneen; 17 April in Polokwane); and Free State (19 April in Bloemfontein, 20 April in Bethlehem).
The employer briefing sessions start at 10h00 to 13h00.
Enquiries:
Teboho Thejane
Cell: 082 697 0694
