Labour inspections hits wholesale industry

By Nomava Nobumba
09 April 2010

The department of Labour is embarking on labour inspection in the Western Cape again.

This time focusing to the wholesale and retail trade industry.

The move forms part of the resolve by labour Minister, Membathisi Mdladlana, to ensure that errant employers have no place to hide and that the decent work agenda is sustained.

Departmental spokesperson Themba Gubula adds inspections also come amid the recent statement by labour department Director-General, Jimmy Manyi told the Labour Portfolio Committee that inspections are to become a permanent feature of their efforts to protect all vulnerable workers.

Gubula says the wholesale and retail sector, which employs 20 percent workers in formal non-agricultural sector, plays a key role in the economy and provides infrastructure and services for the distribution of goods from a supplier to an intermediate or final consumer.

“In terms of composition, it varies from one-man stores to large industry players with thousands of employees.

Inspectors will focus on conditions of service that include wages, hours of work, leave, prohibition of child labour and forced labour, termination of employment, information concerning remuneration, deductions and other acts relating to remuneration as well as written particulars of employment, he said.

The inspections start on April 12.