Expanded Employment and Labour Services in Western Cape Communities Ahead of Presidential Imbizo in Paarl

The Department of Employment and Labour in the Western Cape is extending its services to local communities through various initiatives ahead of the upcoming Presidential Imbizo in Paarl on 19th May 2023. These initiatives include Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES), the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Public Employment Services (PES), and Compensation of Injury on Duty (COID). Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi will visit the area to support the Presidential Imbizo.

The Presidential Imbizo

The Presidential Imbizo is a platform for social partners, including government, traditional leaders, civil society organs, labor, women, youth, persons with disabilities, business, and communities to engage collectively. The pre-Presidential Imbizo build-up events are guided by the District Development Model (DDM) principle. Currently, the Department is providing services in various areas of the Cape Winelands District Municipality.

Agriculture Sector Inspections

The Department is carrying out inspections in the Agriculture sector in areas including Ceres, Worcester, Piketberg, Porterville, and Malmesbury. These inspections focus on compliance with the National Minimum Wage, which is set at R25.42 per hour since 1st March 2023. This wage applies to all workers, regardless of their specific job or industry.

UIF Rapid Response Team

To expedite the processing of unemployment claims and payments, the Western Cape UIF rapid response team, in collaboration with the Paarl Labour Centre, has initiated outreaches in Porterville, Ceres, and the Paarl area. The Drakenstein Local Municipality often sees an increase in seasonal unemployment due to the farming season’s end, leading to a significant rise in UIF claims. These claims directly impact the Department’s workload and resources.

Exhibition Stalls at the Presidential Imbizo

To support vulnerable groups such as unemployed farmworkers, the Department is setting up exhibition stalls at the Presidential Imbizo on 19th May at the Dal Josafat Athletics Stadium in Groenheuwel, Paarl. These stalls will offer information on the Department’s full range of services, including IES, UIF, PES, and COID.

Paarl Labour Centre

In addition to these new initiatives, the Department continues to provide its usual services, such as processing UIF claims and payments, at the Paarl Labour Centre in 68 Breda Street.

By expanding its services and focusing on timely unemployment claim processing, the Department of Employment and Labour aims to better serve the communities in the Western Cape and ensure that they receive the assistance they need, especially during challenging economic times.