E Cape farmers break labour laws

2012-01-28 19:00

Johannesburg - The department of labour has found over 60 Eastern Cape farms that do not follow labour laws and safety protocols, Minister Mildred Oliphant said on Saturday.

"We had issued out notices of non-compliance with labour laws. We will come back in 21 days and do follow-up inspections," she said in a statement.

"Sector determination is not being fully implemented in the farms. The challenge is that workers do not know their rights and as a department we have made a commitment to come and train them on their rights."

Sectoral determination sets minimum working hours, minimum wages, the number of leave days and termination rules.

Oliphant was speaking at a community meeting in Imbizo following an inspection of farms in the province.

She said the farms did not have provisions for fire evacuations, protective equipment for workers and adequate sanitation.

Oliphant said the department would also focus on securing pension and medical benefit payouts for about 18 500 retired Eastern Cape mineworkers.

"The matter of former mineworkers is being handled by the Unemployment Insurance Fund section of the department and the office of the premier in the province," she said.

"As a department we have assisted some people trying to get their monies and paid several of them."

- SAPA