Unskilled Labour Sectoral Determination

Your Association was represented at the recent public hearing concerning ongoing investigations into the working conditions of unskilled labour convened by the Department of Labour on 13 October.

In terms of the applicable legislation the Minister is empowered to order an investigation where he suspects vulnerable workers are in need of protection. The process involves a preliminary study, research and public hearings before promulgation of the regulations.

The Department of Labour is currently investigating the feasibility of the establishment of the Unskilled Labour Sectoral Determination. The investigation is aimed at setting conditions of employment and a minimum wage within the Unskilled Labour Sector.

The Department's research findings which will be taken into account when deciding upon the matter are summarised as follows:

• 58% of employees do not negotiate their salaries before starting a job
• 51% earned more than R2000.00 per month
• Males generally earn more than females
• Salaries in urban areas are higher than rural areas
• 47% of unskilled workers who earn less than R2000.00 per month live in households of more than 5 people
• 71% of unskilled workers in the different sectors under investigation indicated that their salaries did not cover their basic needs
• 55.8% of respondents said that they had formal employment contracts
• The average number of hours worked each day is 8
• 88% of unskilled workers were given a lunch hour
• 67% of unskilled workers said that they did not work on Sundays
• 79% of unskilled workers were paid double for working on Sundays.
• 90.6% of workers do not have medical aid
• 77% of workers do not have a pension or provident fund
• 55% do not receive a 13th cheque

The construction related sectors under investigation are:

• Cement products
• Construction plant hire services
• Building demolishing
• Preparation of sites for building or other services
• Quarrying including stone crushing.

As the above sectors are already covered by the Civil Engineering Sectoral Determination it is likely that the working conditions of unskilled workers in these sectors will receive special attention during the next round of negotiations.

Bruce Lyle | Membership Services Manager