Mpumalanga farmers continue to flout laws
The exploitation and ill-treatment of workers and a disregard for South Africa’s labour laws continue unabated in some agricultural sectors in Mpumalanga.
This is according to the department of employment and labour’s chief inspector, Milly Ruiters, who led a week-long inspection in the Ehlanzeni district of the province.
The department found many employers in the agricultural sector wanting when it came to compliance with the required labour legislation, she said.
The inspections form part of an ongoing initiative to ensure compliance with labour legislation and focused on inspections and advocacy. The inspections focused on the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the National Minimum Wage Act, the Unemployment Insurance Act, the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
“The department issued a number of contravention and prohibition notices and plans to conduct follow-up inspections,” said Ruiters.
Inspectors found noncompliance in areas such as electrical faults, a lack of assessments, no record-keeping, nonregistration of workers with the Unemployment Insurance Fund and compensation for occupational injuries and diseases acts. Other transgressions included paying below the national minimum wage rates, nonprovision of personal protective equipment, not informing workers about their rights and lack of compliance with health and safety laws.
She said several farms were inspected and failed the tests conducted for compliance with various labour laws.
“The department’s inspections will continue... and will also focus on the wholesale and retail sectors,” added Ruiters.
“The inspections form part of the build-up of the department’s activities, which include taking services to the people in the province.”
Meanwhile, the department will host a jobs fair at the Thulamahashe Local Stadium in Bushbuckridge today to interact with job seekers.
It will also host a ministerial session with employers at the Southern Sun Emnotweni Hotel in Mbombela tomorrow.
The department issued a number of notices