BuaNews (Tshwane)
6 August 2008
KwaZulu-Natal — More than 80 percent of farmers in KwaZulu Natal have complied with labour laws, according to Department of Labour inspectors.
According to the labour inspectors: "237 [82 percent] of the 290 of farmers fully complied with labour laws, while only 53 [18 percent] were still contravening sections of the law."
The inspections, which started last Monday, were aimed at improving compliance in industries as well as sectoral determination which regulates the basic conditions of employment for the sector.
Labour inspectors found that most farmers were cooperative and adhered to labour legislation.
However, a total of 42 contravention notices were served to those farmers who had violated different aspects of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
These include no risk assessments being conducted, no health and safety reps or committees being appointed, no first aider on duty, no electrical installation certificate being available, no protective wear being provided for workers and no toilet facilities.
"Those employers were given 60 days to comply or face more stringent enforcement measures," said Department of Labour spokesperson Page Boikanyo.
"A total of 19 written undertakings were also secured for other violations that included incorrect payment of over-time wages and non compliance with different sections of the Employment Equity Act, no EE plan in place and no proof of annual reports submitted to the department," he said.
The OHSA requires employers to bring about and maintain a reasonable practicable work environment that is safe and without risk to the health of workers.
In this regard, the department's inspectors continuously conduct work place inspections countrywide to ensure labour law compliance.
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