The Minister of Labour, Ms Mildred Oliphant and Deputy Minister, Patekile Holomisa will brief media on the national programme for Workers’ Month.  The programme will see a blitz of inspections conducted in sectors that are considered perpetual offenders across the country.  It is all hands on deck as the Minister, the Deputy Minister and senior management of the department will be leading this initiative.  “Know your rights and responsibilities as a means to promote greater compliance”, is the message that will underpin the campaign.

The Minister will also reflect on the key challenges in the labour relations environment including recent amendments to key pieces of labour legislations

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date:              Tuesday, 25 April 2017

Time:             12H00

Venue:           GCIS Head Office, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard & Festival Streets, Hatfield, Pretoria

NB: There will be a video-link to Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Parliament, Cape Town.

The Minister will also use the 2017 Workers Month to highlight the achievements of workers in South Africa and to take a pulse on the extent of compliance with our labour laws in order to ensure that workers are reaping the much deserved benefits.

The department is acutely aware that in some cases non-compliance carries the risk of human fatalities as observed in the recent construction sector accidents.

Many have forgotten that only 22 years ago the South African workers were subjected to the most brutal labour laws on earth.  Domestic and Farm Workers important as they are, were not defined as workers hence enjoyed no protection from the Labour laws of the time, let alone not having any benefits. Workers were paid slave wages and could be dismissed willy-nilly without any recourse.

Enquiries: Mr Sithembele Tshwete 071 675 9849 or 012 392 9625, Email: sithembele.tshwete@labour.gov.za .