Security labour practices in spotlight

THE Department of Labour (DoL) is putting private security companies under the spotlight for non-compliance of labour legislation.

DoL Director of Advocacy Services Zakes Mogwatlhe last week said the department intends to sample the worst employers in the sector and target them for sustained inspection blitzes.

‘The time to name and shame labour transgressors has come,’ said Mogwatlhe.

‘The private security sector is one of the least compliant sectors in terms of labour laws.

‘The department will continue to advance advocacy campaigns to educate stakeholders in the sector about their obligations.’

Deputy Director General for Labour Policy and Industrial Relations, Virgil Seafield, added that employment patterns in the sector are changing, which calls for the department to keep a watchful eye over vulnerable workers in the private security sphere.

‘The sector still faces challenges to ensure the deepening of unionisation in the sector, safeguarding workers’ social security after retirement and reducing the compliance burden.’

Chair of the Professional Transport and Allied Workers Union (PTAWU), Shadrack Matsela, applauded the department’s decision to intervene.

‘We are of the view that the Department of Labour is on the right track in making sure that compliance is improved.

‘We therefore hope and pray that their actions would culminate in better working conditions for security officers.

‘We also call upon the department to go for immediate prosecution of all transgressors of labour laws.’