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The Department of Employment and Labour's Employment Equity(EE) Director Ntsoaki Mamashela told the roadshow that violence and harassment has become daily occurrence at the world of work and the ILO Convention is meant to protect both men and women.

Mamashela was addressing the EE roadshow at The Station, 65 Masabalala Yengwa Ave, Stamford Hill, Durban today (Wednesday).

She told the roadshow that the Convention was adopted in June this year at the ILO Conference. She told attendees that besides sexual harassment, there are other forms of violence and harassment such as unwanted advances, comments, messages, bullying and many other actions that make the work environment unbearable.

“Conduct risk assessment at your workplace and have your policies in line with the Convention and make sure that such policies protect employees against violence and harassment including third parties, that is, those who are not part of the incident but are affected," she said.

She told employers that in the near future they will be required to report on the convention.

Employers were warned to adhere to reporting deadlines. Julian Mohale, the Senior Practitioner in the Employment Equity Directorate, told employers that they have more than four months to submit their reports and therefore no excuse for submitting late or requesting extensions. “There will be no extension" he said.

“Those of you who want to submit reports manually, make sure that you submit on or before October 1, 2019 and those who submit online need to do so by January 15, 2020," he continued.

Under the theme: “Real transformation makes business sense" the roadshows are meant to create awareness on compliance with the Employment Equity Act. 

Next week the roadshow will be in the Eastern Cape Province and the schedule is as follows:

1.  September 10:  Hotel Osner ,  Court Cres, Esplanade, East London; and

2.  September 11:  ETC Conference Centre, Spondo Street, Struandale, Port Elizabeth

All roadshows start at 08:30 and conclude at 14:00.

For more information and inquiries on EE matters please contact: 086 010 1018 or visit Department's website www.labour.gov.za   for more updates on schedule and venues.          

-ENDS-

Issued by:

Makhosonke Buthelezi

Acting Departmental Spokesperson

071 491 7236

Makhosonke.buthelezi@labour.gov.za

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