Sithandiwe Velaphi
Inspectors from the department of labour have found that some employers in the midland areas were still exposing employees to “hazardous chemicals” without issuing them with protective clothing or equipment.
The inspection blitz was carried out last week and it covered municipalities like Inxuba Yethemba, Camdeboo and Senqu.
Labour provincial spokesperson Vuyokazi Mbanjwa said after the blitz, the department had issued 89 contravention notices and 11 prohibition notices in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Mbanjwa said they checked compliance within the wholesale and retail, farming, hospitality and domestic sectors as well as compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
“Out of the 762 targeted employers, 759 sites were inspected, with 471 companies complying and 291 companies not complying,” Mbanjwa said.
“While we were in Cradock the inspectors inspected 94 farms with 64 farms complying and 30 farms not. Employees in this sector are still paid below the prescribed minimum wage. Farm workers there are not issued with pay slips,” Mbanjwa said.
In Graff Reinet, out of 49 farms visited, only eight were not compliant with minimum wages and pay slips.
Livingstone Matiwane, who heads the inspection and enforcement services in the Eastern Cape, said labour inspectors had a duty to create awareness and educate employers and employees about conditions of employment.
“The blitz helps to address some of the challenges immediately as we are able to send a team of inspectors right to the spot after a complaint has been received,” he said.
The department will hold wholesale and retail sector hearings as well as taxi sector information sharing sessions in its East London offices today.
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Article source: http://www.thenewage.co.za/66082-1016-53-Workers_still_exposed_to_dangerous_chemicals