05 July – Labour

Today we spoke to Zolisa Sigabi – spokesperson for the Department of Labour. We were talking about the second wage hike in the taxi industry. As from the beginning of this month, the wages for drivers and administrative staff will increase from R1432.35 to R1552.66 per month, Rank Marshals from R1145.88 to R1242.13 per month, while the wages for general workers such as fare collectors, and cleaners will increase from R1002.65 to R1086.87 per month. According to the department, this is in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and other relevant labour laws. The Department has issued a notice requesting interested parties to submit their inputs regarding minimum wages and conditions of employment for the sector. The current sectoral determination will expire in June 2008. For more information you can contact the department of Labour at (012) 392 4000 or visit www.labour.gov.za
PIC:www.elidz.co.za

We also spoke to Greg Duncan – an attorney from Bagraims Attorneys they are Labour Law Specialists. We were talking about Retirement/ Pension Fund. This fund provide people with an income, or pension, during retirement they also known as pension schemes. Mr Duncan explained more about the fund. For more information you can contact their offices at (021) 422-2860 or visit www.bagraimsattorneys.co.za
PIC:www.bagraimsattorneys.co.za

And our last interview was with Jaco Kleynhans – spokesperson for Solidarity. Three Unions (the National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity and metalworkers union Numsa) are meeting with Eskom today to try to resolve their wage dispute. The workers are demanding a 12% pay increase while Eskom is offering only 6%. Jaco says they will not embark on a strike action due to a court interdict obtained by the company against the unions on Monday.