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South Africa: Labour Dept to Increase Labour Inspectors
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
16 May 2008
Posted to the web 16 May 2008
Edwin Tshivhidzo
Parliament
This year will see more labour inspectors being employed in the provinces to beef up adherence to the country's labour regulations.
The Department of Labour has set aside R690 million of its R1. 7 billion budget for this purpose, said Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana on Thursday during his budget vote in Parliament.
"We intend to similarly improve the competency levels of our inspectors for better enforcement of our laws," the minister said.
The department this year intends to double inspections of Johannesburg Stock Exchanged (JSE) listed companies for non-compliance with Employment Equity Act.
The Act applies to all employers and workers and protects workers and job seekers from unfair discrimination and provides a framework for implementing affirmative action.
It also applies to all employers, workers and job applicants, but not members of the National Defence Force, National Intelligence Agency, and the South African Secret Service.
The minister warned companies that failure to comply with the equity law would result in them being taken to the Labour Court.
The minister's comments came against the backdrop of the department having reviewed six large employers in 2006 in terms of the review process.
These firms were Kumba Resources, which is now called Exxaro, Comair, Omnia Group, Verimak, Medi-Clinic and Prism Holding.
According to the department, section 43 of the Employment Equity Act empowers the Director-General to assess compliance of an employer against the requirements of the legislation.
Inspectors from the department continuously conduct work place inspections countrywide to ensure labour law compliance.
Employers found not adhering to labour laws will be fined or given written warnings.
The minister also indicated that of the total amount, R203 million will be dedicated to skills development.
"We will also provide skills development support through the National Skills Fund (NSF) and Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) funding to SMMEs, non-governmental organisations and cooperatives," the minister said.
Top-up funding will also be provided to SETAs, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the National Research Foundation to assist 26 000 unemployed learners to enter scarce and critical skills programmes in learnerships, apprenticeships, internships, bursaries and skills programmes.
"We intend to also register an additional 21 000 learner artisans during the current year as part of our ongoing contribution to the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA)," the minister said.
Government's JIPSA projects aims to attract and maintain scarce skills.
The department will further provide funding through partnerships with Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) to support 3 000 youth in new venture creation projects.
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This will ensure that 70 percent of new ventures are sustainable after completion of the programme through training and mentorship.
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