Drawing a parallel between labour brokers and human trafficking in the South African context is inappropriate and irresponsible, the Confederation of Associations in the Private Employment Sector (Capes) said on Monday.
”It is a pity that Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana now after 12 years chooses to use a public platform to launch a scathing and unsubstantiated attack on industry,” said Capes president Elias Monage.
Monage was referring to comments Mdladlana made earlier this month that labour brokers were nothing more than ”human traffickers”.
Speaking at a national bargaining conference of the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union in Pretoria, he had said that he would do everything in his power to stop the practice of labour brokers.
”It is selling people, it is inhumane, and it is against the Constitution of South Africa,” he said.
Monage said an outright ban on labour brokers went against public statements made by African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma and other ANC members denying that a ban would be placed on the Temporary Employment Services industry.
”The matter needs urgent attention and clarification in order for the industry and government to move forward with a common agenda and vision that is in the best interests of both business and labour,” said Monage.
He said there was a need for a flexible labour force — critical to South Africa’s continued economic growth and skills development — now more than ever in the current global economic crisis.
”The minister has to date failed to effectively address flexible labour practices, compliance and enforcement of legislation that more than adequately address the requirements around temporary employment services in South Africa,” he said.
Department spokesperson Zingisile Mapazi said the department was not in a position to comment immediately as it had not seen the Capes statement.
”We can only respond at a later stage,” he said. — Sapa