Labour centres list challenges

DEPUTY minister for labour, Phathekile Holomisa, visited the labour centres in Polokwane and Seshego recently.

The reason for Holomisa’s visit was to find out what the main frustrations of these centres’ employees and clients were and to hear suggestions on how to address these problems.

Holomisa said the problems at the Polokwane and Seshego labour centres were similar to those he encountered while in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape.

These included the lack of basic equipment for personnel to do their jobs.

“Some centres did not have enough vehicles, computers or telephones to help clients effectively,” he said.

He said the clients he spoke to complained about the time it took the department to address their concerns and grievances.

They also complained about the poor facilities and long waiting times at some labour centres.

Leaking roofs, lack of air conditioners and poor ablution facilities were some infrastructure challenges that were listed by both labour employees and clients.

Holomisa made it clear that his job was to listen to grievances and report his findings to the minister.

“I am here on behalf of the minister. I will compile a report on the centres I visited in this province and it is up to the minister and senior management to address those grievances.”

He said that for the department to successfully render their services, it was important for clients to cooperate with the department.

“Sometimes we need information regarding foreign business owners who use office spaces as places of residence. When we ask for information from their South African employees, they tell us they do not know anything for fear of losing their jobs.”