Pretoria – The Department of Labour’s inspectors have embarked on a week-long inspection blitz targeting the farming industry in the Free State.
According to the department, the inspectors will be checking labour law compliance.
The week-long spotlight will also focus on the Sectoral Determination for farm workers, which regulates the conditions of employment of farm workers that include wages, hours of work, leave, prohibition of child labour and forced labour, termination of employment and information concerning remuneration.
Compliance with occupational health and safety procedures will also be high on the agenda to check whether employers do not prioritize their profits before the well being of their workers.
Besides enforcing labour laws, inspectors will also promote sound labour relations and provide information and advice on labour laws to employers and workers.
Earlier this year, the department announced that inspectors will now have the right to be accompanied by an interpreter or members of the South African Police Services in visiting problematic workplaces, with even tougher penalties for any violation of the law. – BuaNews
