Up to 20 local companies have retrenched workers because of the global financial recession while 13 others have sent out distress signals, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Peter Siele told Parliament last week.

So far, 1,597 workers have been retrenched since September 2008. Siele said he has appealed to companies that have said they might retrench to consider other alternatives.

"I can only appeal to employers to put to use other forms of employment...these may include agreement with workers for reduction of pay and introduction of flexible employment," he said.

It was not immediately clear whether the number of retrenched workers released by the minister includes those from the mining industry, where job losses have now surpassed 1,400. Last week 132 employees of Lerala diamond company, Diamonex, lost their compensation case at the Industrial Court. The mine has been put into statutory administration following poor diamond sales in October last year. BCL also cut 348 workers after world market prices for copper plummeted last year due to reduced global appetite.

Moolman mining company, which operates Tati copper Nickel Mine, also retrenched 400 workers mid- January, while Mowana Mine laid-off 172 employees pending the finalisation of negotiations to raise $15 million (P120m) it needs to stay afloat as copper prices continue to plummet.

Another Tati Mine related venture, the P3 billion Activox Project near Matsilojoe closed down indefinitely last year, leaving 700 workers in the lurch. It cited high cost of building material as the reason for the closure.

Meanwhile at least 7,541 workers reported unfair treatment by their employers with the labour office the last year. Siele told Parliament that out of this number, 3,850 workers had their cases settled at mediation, with 1,564 cases referred to the Industrial Court. Another 1,599 workers withdrew their cases.

The minister said during the year, a total of 2,158 labour inspections were carried out across enterprises and industries including wholesale and retail, hospitality, manufacturing and farming sectors throughout the country. The main findings included failure to provide insurance cover for workers, failure to pay the minimum wage, poor employment records, failure to observe regulations on hours of work and paid public holidays, no provisions for annual leave, maternity and sick leave.

The minister said the current Factories Act will be reviewed to cater for the health, safety and welfare of workers at their work places. Siele said a survey will be undertaken to establish a baseline data on accidents, diseases, and other dangerous occurrences and their cost to the economy.

The Trade Disputes Act will be reviewed to make provisions for cases to be heard by a Panel of Mediators and not by one panellist as is the current practice. The minister said he will strengthen the case referral system.