Dept warns on wage exemptions

THE DEPARTMENT of Labour has warned that it will withdraw National Minimum Wage (NMW) exemptions granted to employers that violate the spirit of the law.

Briefing employers on the National Minimum Wage exemption process at a workshop held at the Nama Khoi Municipality Hall in Springbok in the Northern Cape, Department of Labour Deputy Director, Employment Standards, Matilda Bergmann told employers that the granting of exemptions was conditional on fulfilling a set of requirements and openness.

Bergmann cautioned employers that exemptions could be withdrawn if an employer did not comply with a notice granting exemptions; the employer provided false or incorrect information; the employer’s financial position improved to the extent that it was able to pay NMW or if there were justifiable grounds for withdrawal.

She said in the case of a withdrawal of an exemption, parties to the agreement would be consulted.

Regarding the department’s draft regulations on the MWW exemption process, Bergmann said these were ready for comment, but couldn’t be published before the enactment of the legislation.

She also told the employers that the Department of Labour information technology system to make provision for employers to apply for exemptions could be delayed as it was dependent on the enactment of the National Minimum Wage Bill.

The system is scheduled to go on-line by the end of this month and system will require the employers’ particulars.