Minister Nxesi commits to service excellence as he officially opens Mt Ayliff labour centre

Banner of the National Department of Labour together with the South African flag

23 April 2021

A beautiful building is not beautiful unless people who occupy it treat all clients with care and love and a spirit of servanthood.

This was said by the Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi as he officially opened the Mt Ayliff Labour Centre yesterday, April 22. He was flanked by the department’s Director-General Thobile Lamati and provincial head Nomfundo Douw-Jack.

The Minister appealed to and stressed the need for departmental officials to service people with courtesy and develop a culture of work ethic that is commendable.

“It does not matter how beautiful this building is.

If it does not have impact in the serving of people for whom it is meant to, it loses its beauty. The real impact is on the changed lives of the people of this area,” said Minister Nxesi. He added that the office should avail all communication material on its services in all public spaces so that people can be aware of the services rendered by the department.

The Minister also expressed his unhappiness with some of the employers who refuse to adhere to the labour laws saying that all employers should not only respect labour laws but also do things by the book. He noted the continued exploitation of workers especially in the retail sector where workers did not know about minimum wage, their hours of work and also lack knowledge on issues of being registered with institutions like the UIF or Compensation Fund.

“I am particularly worried by many employers in the farming, hospitality, retail, restaurants and security industry who prefer to hire foreign nationals when we have massive unemployment in the country. It is a deliberate move to exploit people coming from outside, making them work long hours with little pay,” said Minister Nxesi.

To mitigate some of these challenges he said the department is currently working on the labour migration policy which will be tabled in cabinet soon, to regulate and limit sectors on the number of people employers can hire from other countries especially in sectors that do not require sophisticated skills.

“We have signed binding international agreements and will ensure that our policy does not conflict with those agreements. In short, whatever we do, will be in line with Constitution,” said Minister Nxesi.

The launch was joined by among others, the Mayor of Umzimvubu local municipality Cllr SK Mnukwa and the Eastern Cape MEC for Finance Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Mlungisi Mvoko.

The centre is manned by 19 permanent staff and services three areas which are, Matatiele, Ntabankulu and Mount Frere. It offers a full basket of services inclusive of Unemployment Insurance Fund, Compensation Fund, Public Employment Services and Inspection and Enforcement Services.

The Director-General said the opening of the centre is another effort by the department to bring closer all its services to the people it serves.

“We are opening this centre to ensure that the people of this area and all its surroundings are able to easily access the services we offer to all workers as required by law,” said Lamati as he urged the community to safeguard the facility.

“We know that when our people are angry, they communicate their frustrations by destroying government buildings. If you are not happy with the service you receive at this facility, we urge you to inform us so that we can intervene rather than to be alerted by the burning building,” said DG Lamati.

The minister concluded his visit by joining the department’s Taking Services to the People campaign held at the North End Stadium in Matatiele which targeted UIF and CF beneficiaries, employees and work seekers including ex-mineworkers in the area.

For more information, please contact:

Ziphozihle Josefu

Provincial Communication Officer

082 308 6306

Musa Zondi

Acting Departmental Spokesperson

067 426 4190

“Please continue adhering to the lockdown regulations. Wash or sanitise your hands regularly and wear your mask at all times.”

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour