Pretoria - Stakeholders in the private security sector have called on the Department of Labour to devise a single national sectoral determination (SD) governing minimum wage and conditions of employment to eliminate undue exploitation in the sector.
Worker representatives said the regional demarcations and accompanying unequal sectoral determinations were exposing small companies to poaching and exploitation of workers.
The workers argue that the principle of "equal pay for work of equal value” should apply. They said that the exploitative situation was also exacerbated by the growth of fly-by-night companies.
The worker representatives also said that clients do not conduct checks on credentials of companies getting tenders and if they abide by labour legislation.
This has emerged from inputs made by stakeholders during road shows on the private security sectoral determination.
The current determination is coming to an end this year and the Department of Labour has begun a process - following an order by Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant - to review prescribing minimum wages and conditions of employment in the sector.
The department is inviting all stakeholders in the sector, who are directly and indirectly affected including employers, employer organisations, employees, and trade unions, to attend national public hearings in which they will be allowed to voice their inputs.
In terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the Labour Minister should consult with stakeholders in the sector with the aim to source information in relation to the wage adjustment.
The private security sector employs about 1 070 387 people.
The sectoral determination for the private security sector in South Africa was published in the government gazette of 30 November 2001 and provisions in respect of minimum wages became applicable on 10 December 2001.
Prior to the promulgation, the private security sector like any other sectors was covered by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
The current minimum wage in the sector lapses on 31 August 2015, and the new minimum wage should be in effect from 1 September 2015.
The national road shows began on 4 February 2015 in Klerksdorp, North West and in Thohoyandou Labour Centre in Limpopo, respectively.
The last public hearings will be held on 12 March at East London's Department of Labour Provincial Office and 13 March at 4 Leeds Street in Umtata.
Department of Labour Employment Standards Directorate: Senior Practitioner, Nkululeko Ngwenya, said the department will still accept inputs until the end of March 2015.
Issues discussed during national public hearings also include special allowances, cleaning allowance, maternity leave, night shift, temporary employment services and overtime. – SAnews.gov.za
