Chinese Chamber must comply with Bargaining Council agreements
Chinese Chamber must comply with Bargaining Council agreements
Released by Chief Directorate of Communication/ Department of
Labour on 30 January 2004
The Newcastle Chinese Chamber of Commerce requested that Durban
Labour Court Judge, Daya Pillay, should indefinitely postpone an
interdict they have lodged against Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana
today.
The interdict was an attempt by Newcastle Chinese employers to
prevent the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing
Industry of July 2003 from being applied to them and from the said
Bargaining Council enforcing the terms of that agreement.
Following the postponement request - Judge Pillay ordered the
Chinese Chamber of Commerce to pay for the costs incurred during
today's Court proceedings.
Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana said it is regrettable
that this case, is still pending because as government we would not
like to defer matters that are affecting workers remuneration.
?As ANC government we believe in collective bargaining where
employers engage with unions in ensuring that workers are better paid
and working conditions are conducive.?
"All employers who are bound by Collective Bargaining Agreements
should adhere to those agreements. It is unacceptable - especially in
sectors where agreements are in place - that some workers are still
earning slave wages," said Minister Mdladlana.
"It is also an insult that under this political dispensation -
which encourages social dialogue - that some employers have to resort
to litigation to prevent their obligations in terms of legislation," he
said.
Workers in the Wholesale and Retail Sector in the former homelands
are entitled to wage increases of up to 20% as from the beginning of
February, while their counterparts in other areas should receive
8.8%.
|
|
