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A recent inspection blitz by the Department of Employment and Labour of the Private Security Sector in the Limpopo Province has found that there are pockets of resistance to comply with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and labour legislation.

Addressing a Department of Employment and Labour Private Security seminar held at the Polokwane Royal Hotel, Principal Inspector in Limpopo Province, Happy Ntsoko said the blitz inspection was held ahead of the Seminar to test the levels of compliance to NMW since its introduction in January and that of the implementation of the sectoral determination governing private security.

According to Ntsoko 75 workplaces were visited during the October blitz. He said 67 workplaces were found to be complying with the NMW, while eight of them were found not to be complying with sectoral determination - which regulates minimum wages and basic conditions of employment designed to protect the workers.

The national minimum wage is the floor level below which no employee should be paid. The current NMW rate in South Africa is R20 per hour. The NMW was introduced and enforced from 01 January 2019.

The purpose of the NMW is to advance economic development and social justice by improving the wages of the lowest paid workers.

The latest seminar by the Department was attended by private security industry stakeholders such as employer organizations, labour, employers, and industry regulatory body. It is part of the Department of Employment and Labour national advocacy campaign to build working relations with all relevant stakeholders in the labour market to promote sound labour relations and increase the levels of labour law compliance.

Similar seminars have been held in Johannesburg and Mbombela. Another seminar is planned for KwaZulu-Natal next year.

The Department's Inspection and Enforcement Services branch has identified Private Security as the most vulnerable sector and problematic following a number of complaints lodged at Labour Centre offices.

Ntsoko said some of the areas of non-compliance relate to Unemployment Insurance Act and Unemployment Contributions Act.

He added that there were also contraventions for non-payment of wages and issuing of payslips. The said three employers were found not to be paying bonuses, four other employers were not issuing contracts, five were not registered with the industry Provident Fund and another five were not complying with the NMW.

Following the inspections, Ntsoko said the Department has issued eight compliance orders. He said there were non undertakings made, which he said was a strong indication of resistance in this sector to comply with labour legislation.

Ntsoko disclosed that monies due for NMW and other benefits owed to employees amounted to R876 000.

He said the Department intends embarking on more advocacy sessions; develop close relations with the employers, the industry and regulatory body, labour and do media campaigns.

-ENDS-

Issued by:

Department of Employment and Labour Acting Spokesperson

Mokgadi Pela

082 808 2168​