Minister of Labour, Anna Mokgethi says the prevalent concern associated with salary increment and some conditions of work is mainly that some companies would not pay their staff remuneration consistent with their work.
She said companies do this saying that Government has set the amount to be paid to them. She said this is not true and employees need to know that.
According to the minister, the private sector knows very well that minimum wage refers to the lowest scale that one should pay considering all factors that are taken into consideration where both the employee and the employer are not left worse off.
The minister stated that minimum wage does not restrict companies to pay their employees according to their profit margins or positive turnovers.
“However, some unfaithful and shrewd companies would want the nation to believe that it is government who has directed them to pay unreasonably low salaries despite their soaring profit margins,” the minister blasted, when answering a question by Specially-Elected Kgosi Oatleng Setlhodi at the ongoing Ntlo Ya Dikgosi session this week. It is also necessary to understand that the minimum wage rate adjustments are based on the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Board to the Minister, a tripartite structure comprising of membership from representatives of Government, Business and representatives of workers, in this case respective Trade Unions
Federations and Independent Members of the society.
Mokgethi explained that the minimum wage rates that are in place are agreed upon by these parties in consideration of the prevailing economic factors at the time. She said any employer paying below the minimum wage for any sector as prescribed by the law is liable to penalties as prescribed by Section 151 of the Employment Act.
In terms of the mechanisms in place to rectify the situation, she said the ministry strives to achieve a situation where decent work is attained across sectors.
“It seeks to pursue policies based on the following four strategic objectives: Employment Creation; Social Protection; Social Dialogue; and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work all of which are geared towards improving the conditions of workers across all sectors of the economy.”
According to the ministry, there is a number of ways through which such ill treatment is addressed starting with warnings and punitive measures, including where the Commissioner may direct that such conditions of work are dangerous to health or unfit for occupation to discontinue such occupation or use until such requirements for repair and construction have been fulfilled.
Mokgethi said she is not aware of the plight of Chinese construction workers in the North West District, particularly on their general welfare.
"As a Ministry, we pick issues as we conduct inspections or being alerted by members of the public," the minister said, adding that it is possible that the ministry could have missed such instances during inspections.
She revealed that either party that is aggrieved may lodge his or her disputes with the Labour office in the District for resolution of such. Regarding unfair labour practices, the minister said employees are usually subjected to compromised health and safety conditions by some companies.
“It is of paramount importance that these two issues are clearly articulated for a better understanding of the employees with respect to the conduct and practices of such companies.
“We often get first-hand information of some unacceptable and poor labour practices from some companies in the private sector such as late payments. Once we have satisfied ourselves with such practices, we confront such companies and apply punitive labour laws to such companies,” Mokgethi elaborated.
She said companies do this saying that Government has set the amount to be paid to them. She said this is not true and employees need to know that.
According to the minister, the private sector knows very well that minimum wage refers to the lowest scale that one should pay considering all factors that are taken into consideration where both the employee and the employer are not left worse off.
The minister stated that minimum wage does not restrict companies to pay their employees according to their profit margins or positive turnovers.
“However, some unfaithful and shrewd companies would want the nation to believe that it is government who has directed them to pay unreasonably low salaries despite their soaring profit margins,” the minister blasted, when answering a question by Specially-Elected Kgosi Oatleng Setlhodi at the ongoing Ntlo Ya Dikgosi session this week. It is also necessary to understand that the minimum wage rate adjustments are based on the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Board to the Minister, a tripartite structure comprising of membership from representatives of Government, Business and representatives of workers, in this case respective Trade Unions
Federations and Independent Members of the society.
Mokgethi explained that the minimum wage rates that are in place are agreed upon by these parties in consideration of the prevailing economic factors at the time. She said any employer paying below the minimum wage for any sector as prescribed by the law is liable to penalties as prescribed by Section 151 of the Employment Act.
In terms of the mechanisms in place to rectify the situation, she said the ministry strives to achieve a situation where decent work is attained across sectors.
“It seeks to pursue policies based on the following four strategic objectives: Employment Creation; Social Protection; Social Dialogue; and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work all of which are geared towards improving the conditions of workers across all sectors of the economy.”
According to the ministry, there is a number of ways through which such ill treatment is addressed starting with warnings and punitive measures, including where the Commissioner may direct that such conditions of work are dangerous to health or unfit for occupation to discontinue such occupation or use until such requirements for repair and construction have been fulfilled.
Mokgethi said she is not aware of the plight of Chinese construction workers in the North West District, particularly on their general welfare.
"As a Ministry, we pick issues as we conduct inspections or being alerted by members of the public," the minister said, adding that it is possible that the ministry could have missed such instances during inspections.
She revealed that either party that is aggrieved may lodge his or her disputes with the Labour office in the District for resolution of such. Regarding unfair labour practices, the minister said employees are usually subjected to compromised health and safety conditions by some companies.
“It is of paramount importance that these two issues are clearly articulated for a better understanding of the employees with respect to the conduct and practices of such companies.
“We often get first-hand information of some unacceptable and poor labour practices from some companies in the private sector such as late payments. Once we have satisfied ourselves with such practices, we confront such companies and apply punitive labour laws to such companies,” Mokgethi elaborated.
