Domestic workers protest ‘empty promises’ on labour issues

DOMESTIC workers from the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers’ Union held a peaceful protest at Parliament yesterday as a reminder to the Department of Labour of their continuing grievances.

Their current minimum wage and lack of compensation for injury at work were some of the main issues that union members felt had not been adequately addressed by the department.

Union secretary Myrtle Witbooi said they sent a letter to Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant last month, that listed all their issues, but so far, they were just told that the minister would look into the matter.

“We attended so many of the minister’s imbizo events for domestic workers last year, and many promises were made. But by the end of last year, we still had no increase to the minimum wages, and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act is still not extended to domestic workers,” she said.

Union president Hester Stevens said the minimum wage that domestic workers are paid is just not enough to make ends meet.

The minimum wage for domestic workers employed in the metropolitan areas for 27 hours a week is R2 065.47 a month, and those not in major metropolitan areas earn R1 812.57 for the same hours.

“It should be increased to at least R3 500 a month. Domestic workers are the backbone of society, and we also contribute to the economy because we take care of people’s homes and children so that they can go to work,” said Witbooi.

A big part of their pay is also spent on travelling expenses to get to the homes where they work.

“These women have to be up at 4am to travel to areas far from their homes. When they come to work late because of delays in public transport, they then have to deal with unsupportive employers.”

Stevens said domestic workers who do get injured risk losing their jobs because their employers will look for replacements if they can’t work. This is why the union is demanding that domestic workers enjoy some protection through the act.

Ministry spokesman Mokgadi Pela said the minister was looking into the issues and had spoken of her intention to take care of vulnerable workers.

“There are processes that need to be followed. In the past two years, the minister has already called several imbizos in all the provinces except Mpumalanga and Limpopo, which will take place in April. These processes require public engagement and we cannot say when this will be completed.”