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Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:

The 4th Industrial Revolution has impacted the world of work resulting in many workers being categorised as atypical workers doing business as independent professionals with various clients.

While this offers the benefits of freedom to contract with various enterprises, flexibility, and the opportunity to be their own boss, there are also a few drawbacks.

Therefore, freelancers must understand the contracts they work under and have help at hand when things are unclear, or trouble looms. 

Against this background, UASA’s Independent Professional Sector hosted an open day forum with the Writer’s Guild of South Africa (WGSA) to discuss various work-related topics for independent contractors and the significance of belonging to a union.

UASA Divisional Manager (Legal) Nick van Rooyen explained the context of “non-standard” workers within South African law.

UASA Chief Corporate Officer, Asif Jhatham, explained more about UASA’s service offering and benefits included in the membership fee, including funeral benefits, maternity benefits, study grants, the UASA call centre and Marlicht Holiday Flats discounts.

In April this year, UASA signed a memorandum of agreement with the WGSA. UASA’s proposed way forward with the WGSA includes a workshop to be held with the WGSA to establish the current needs and requirements of their members.  The Council of the WGSA must be mandated on issues such as minima in the industry regarding rates and conditions in respect of work. It is further essential that social security matters such as UIF, Compensation Funds and Occupational Health and Safety are addressed. 

UASA proposes consideration of a sectoral determination to progress into the future.

Decent work and job creation are not mutually exclusive. UASA brings workers and other stakeholders together to develop primary workers’ rights compatible with sustainable business models.

UASA is proud that its registered scope has evolved to include independent professionals in its membership portfolio.

Issued by UASA