South African Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana on Friday warned farmers and their representative bodies to stop threatening to retrench agricultural workers as a way to get the government to change agricultural legislation.
Mdladlana was responding to threats by AgriSA and affiliates Agri Northern Cape and Agri Free State that their members would dismiss workers if the Labour Department does not change certain provisions of the Sectoral Determination for
the Agricultural Sector.
Retrenchments must be lawful and comply with the provisions of the new
Labour Law Amendments and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act as well as
other legislation including the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, he added.
Mdladlana said he was surprised by AgriSA’s announcement that it was exploring the possibility of suing the Department of Labour for failing to consult adequately during the process leading up to the promulgation of the determination.
“As a result of a commitment to social dialogue and transparency extensive consultation precedes the promulgation of these regulations,” Mdladlana said.
Officials from the Department of Labour are prepared to discuss any concerns AgriSA may have, Mdladlana said, but he made it clear that the determination is law and will be vigorously implemented as from March 1, 2003. – I-Net-Bridge