South African Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana on Tuesday commended farm owners who complied with the employment conditions and minimum standards set by the Labour Department.
Mdladlana was speaking at Westfalia farm, which is fully compliant with current labour laws, and employs over 1 000 workers, all of whom earn more than the R650 per month minimum wage for the area.
”The department intends to assist those farmers who display a positive attitude towards labour legislation. However, those farmers who resist legitimate laws are treading on dangerous ground,” he said.
Westfalia general manager Louis Vorster said his company did not experience problems in implementing minimum wages for workers.
The implementation of the sectoral determination for the agricultural sector was made easier by constant communication with workers, he added.
However in another case, the Department of Labour has issued prohibition and contravention notices and ensured that the owner of Die Emigratie Farm near Ermelo in Mpumalanga paid workers over R80 000 of identified underpayments after inspectors raided the premises late last week.
The farmer concerned was found to be in contravention of the Sectoral Determination and a range of other pieces of labour legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The highest paid worker received R1 800 for five months work, while some workers were taking home 14 cents a month after deductions.
The Labour Department arranged for transportation to return the workers to Taung in the North West Province from where they came.
The workers will remain there until the farmer rectifies the problems on the farm, which he has undertaken to do by September 1. – I-Net Bridge
Mdladlana was speaking at Westfalia farm, which is fully compliant with current labour laws, and employs over 1 000 workers, all of whom earn more than the R650 per month minimum wage for the area.
”The department intends to assist those farmers who display a positive attitude towards labour legislation. However, those farmers who resist legitimate laws are treading on dangerous ground,” he said.
Westfalia general manager Louis Vorster said his company did not experience problems in implementing minimum wages for workers.
The implementation of the sectoral determination for the agricultural sector was made easier by constant communication with workers, he added.
However in another case, the Department of Labour has issued prohibition and contravention notices and ensured that the owner of Die Emigratie Farm near Ermelo in Mpumalanga paid workers over R80 000 of identified underpayments after inspectors raided the premises late last week.
The farmer concerned was found to be in contravention of the Sectoral Determination and a range of other pieces of labour legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The highest paid worker received R1 800 for five months work, while some workers were taking home 14 cents a month after deductions.
The Labour Department arranged for transportation to return the workers to Taung in the North West Province from where they came.
The workers will remain there until the farmer rectifies the problems on the farm, which he has undertaken to do by September 1. – I-Net Bridge