Empowering the Workforce: Advocacy Seminars in Richards Bay

The Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch is conducting two advocacy seminars in Richards Bay on the 23rd and 24th of August 2023. The primary objectives of these seminars are to educate and create awareness on the benefits of formalisation of informal businesses into the formal economy and to encourage compliance with labour laws.

Collaboration and Venue

The seminars are conducted in collaboration with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the uMhlathuze Municipality. They will take place at the Mark Strasse Civic Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

Seminar Topics

The themes of these seminars are “Benefitting on Change” and “Paying the National Minimum Wage is the Right Thing to Do.” These seminars aim to educate employers, employees, and their respective organisations on various labour legislation, such as the National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), and the processes of the CCMA.

Objectives

The seminars aim to protect vulnerable workers by encouraging compliance with labour laws for both employers and employees. Dr. Pravine Naidoo, Director of Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations, explains that these sessions empower individuals through education and sharing information with employers and employees, with the ultimate goal of improving compliance and realizing decent work for all.

Registration and Media Attendance

The seminars are set to commence at 10:00 am, with registration starting at 9:30 am at the Mark Strasse Civic Centre in Richards Bay. Members of the media are invited to attend in order to further spread awareness of these important issues.

Importance of the Seminars

These seminars represent a crucial step in addressing the challenges faced by workers in the informal economy and ensuring that they receive fair treatment. By promoting education and fostering a dialogue about the importance of compliance and the processes involved, the Department of Employment and Labour hopes to create a more equitable and just work environment for all.

Collaboration and Shared Responsibility

The collaborative nature of these seminars is a testament to the importance of cooperation and shared responsibility in addressing the challenges faced within the employment sector. The seminars serve as an opportunity for all stakeholders to come together and learn about the intricate workings of labour legislation and their respective roles within it.

The initiative is poised to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to improve employment conditions, protect vulnerable workers, and foster a culture of compliance with labour laws in South Africa. By providing stakeholders with the necessary tools and knowledge, the Department of Employment and Labour is taking a vital step towards creating a better future for the South African workforce.