Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs says it has continuously consulted with labour representatives regarding the imminent implementation of the new operating hours of its offices.
This follows media reports which claim there were no proper consultations with labour representatives in the implementation of the new Home Affairs opening and closing hours.
Earlier this month, the department introduced new office hours to improve services to the public.
Office hours will be from 7.30am to 4.30pm, including a 30-minute lunch break. However, opening and closing hours for serving clients will be from 8am to 4pm.
The new opening and closing hours for the public will be operational from Monday, 23 March 2015.
Home Affairs Director-General Mkuseli Apleni said throughout the whole process, continuous consultations with labour unions took place with a view to attaining their buy-in, while ensuring that the best interests of the employees are taken into consideration.
“As a department, we have made it clear that this new intervention will be critically beneficial to the members of the public. Though there might be differences of opinion on certain matters pertaining to the new arrangement with representatives of labour, we have agreed that we will proceed to operationalize the new hours with effect from Monday, 23 March 2015,” said Apleni on Friday.
The Director-General reiterated the department’s commitment towards the operationalization of the new opening and closing hours and warned against deliberate disruptions from officials.
“Any official who attempts to deliberately disrupt the new arrangement will be dealt with according to the department’s disciplinary processes,” said Apleni. – SAnews.gov.za
