Labour checks up on domestic workers

LABOUR inspectors are continuously busy doing various types of inspections.

The department of labour is currently concentrating on the working conditions of domestic workers, which involves visiting private residences throughout the province.

Labour inspector, James Sithole from the Polokwane office, said these inspections were an ongoing effort. “We especially check if the legal conditions required for the sector are adhered to.

“This includes the minimum wage for the sector being adhered to and whether the worker receives a salary advice. The working hours, if there is a contract in place and if the domestic worker has been registered for UIF is also checked,” he explained.

An official note from Sithole awaited me at my home in Polokwane some two weeks ago. It was a request to conduct an inspection the following week. As I was unable to attend the inspection on the date given, I contacted Sithole and made alternative arrangements. The entire matter was dealt with in a professional manner.

On my way home from work on the designated day, I fervently hoped he would be on time – but he phoned while I was still on my way home to say he was there already.

My experience taught me that labour inspectors are just doing their jobs, and should not be seen as the “enemy.” They should be able to identify themselves when arriving at your house or business, so you know they are genuine and not someone trying to con their way into your home.

Part of the inspectors’ jobs, as I experienced, was also to explain to workers what their responsibilities and obligations were.

“It is the rules of the employer that count at the place of work. If for instance the arrangement is that a domestic worker starts at 08:00 and works until 13:00, and the worker is not on time, then another arrangement must be made. That is why it is so important that a contract is entered into. It also specifies the wages, hours to be worked and duties, as well as other important issues,” Sithole further explained.

With inspections still ongoing, labour spokesperson, Johannes Mokou, told Bosveld that the main problem found during the inspections were people not adhering to the minimum wages, with non-registration of workers being the second problem found.

He said it was a problem to access some households and therefore appointments were made with employers. He said money needed to be recouped and inspectors would also follow former employee records to see if they were registered for UIF.

“Some employees lied to us saying that they were not domestic or garden workers, but the employers’ uncles or nieces or other family members, but on further questioning, it came to light that these employees had been told by their employers to lie to the inspectors. It is better to tell the truth from the beginning,” Makou said.