06 December – Labour

Today on Sakhisizwe’s Labour slot we spoke to Lorraine Martin – Whistleblower Advisor and Trainer from the Open Democracy Advice Centre or ODAC. The interview was about the Protected Disclosures Act or the Whistleblowers Act. This act enables employees to disclose information relating to improper conduct and corruption in the workplace without fear of victimisation from either their fellow employees or their employer. For more information contact Lorraine on (021) 461 3096 or visit www.opendemocracy.org.za

Simazile Ntyikwe told Bush Radio listeners about the challenges he faces as an employee in a wheelchair. Simazile lost his legs during his teenage years in a train accident but this didn’t keep him down as he made news headlines for being one of the bravest people in Cape Town because of the daily struggle he proudly took on to get from Nyanga to Rondebosch to further his education. He is currently doing his experiential learning as a mechanical engineer and Simazile says he takes every struggle in life on with courage. As part of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities and its theme “Decent work for persons with disabilities" he spoke to us about his journey. If you are disabled and looking for a job you can contact Nthuse Management Staffing Solutions. They specialize in the recruitment and placement of People living with Disabilities. The number is (021) 696 5198 or visit www.nthuse.co.za

We were also joined by Melanie Shapiro who is a social worker at the Astra Centre. The Astra Centre is an organisation that aims to provide adults with intellectual disability and psychiatric illnesses with the opportunity to work. Those employed by the Astra Centre are involved in the production of high quality craft goods. For more information you can contact (021) 465 4200 or visit www.jsec.org.za

Lastly we had an interview with Zolisa Sigabi - spokesperson for the Department of Labour who told us more about the recent domestic workers wage increase. The increase came into effect last Saturday December 1. If you would like more information contact your nearest labour centre - the Bellville number is (021) 941 7000, Mitchell’s Plain (021) 376 1771/4, Cape Town (021) 460 5911/5169/5170 alternatively you can get more information from your union.