KZN farms law compliance levels impress Labour inspectors
KZN farms law compliance levels impress Labour inspectors
Released by Department of Labour on 30 July 2008
Labour inspectors currently conducting raids on KwaZulu-Natal farms
for workplace law compliance have expressed pleasure at the levels of
conformity that they have recorded since Monday (July 27).
So far, 101 (77 percent) of the 132 farms visited as part of this
five-day crusade have been applauded for fully complying with the
legislation, whilst only 31 (23 percent) were found to be not
complying.
The agricultural sector has been placed under the spotlight as part
of the department’s national drive to enhance the visibility of it’s
inspectorate in the most remote and rural communities of the
country.This national inspection campaign is also aimed at improving
compliance in industries with high incident rates as well as the
sectoral determination that regulates the basic conditions of
employment for the sector.
Inspectors are among other things checking for compliance with
health and safety measures, availability of risk assessment plans where
required, training of workers on health and safety issues and the
provision of protective wear for workers.
Some of the main contraventions by farmers at this stage, point to
no health and safety reps or committees being appointed, no first aider
on duty, no electrical installation certificate being available, no
protective wear being provided for workers, no toilet facilities or
toilet paper available, no incident registers kept and no fire
extinguishers available or if available, not properly serviced.
A total of 34 contravention notices were served to the defaulting
farmers who were given 60 days to rectify the situation.Other
violations includes incorrect payment of over-time wages for which a
written undertaking was secured.In the Newcastle area a written
undertaking was also secured from an employer who violated different
sections of the Employment Equity Act.These included no consultation
with workers being carried out, no EE plan in place and no proof
of annual reports submitted to the department.
The inspections wrap up on Friday (Aug, 1).
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