"I can only appeal to employers to put to use other forms of
employment…these may include agreement with workers for reduction of
pay and introduction of flexible employment," he said.
It was not immediately clear whether the number of retrenched workers
released by the minister includes those from the mining industry, where
job losses have now surpassed 1,400. Last week 132 employees of Lerala
diamond company, Diamonex, lost their compensation case at the
Industrial Court. The mine has been put into statutory administration
following poor diamond sales in October last year. BCL also cut 348
workers after world market prices for copper plummeted last year due to
reduced global appetite.
Moolman mining company, which operates Tati copper Nickel Mine, also
retrenched 400 workers mid- January, while Mowana Mine laid-off 172
employees pending the finalisation of negotiations to raise $15 million
(P120m) it needs to stay afloat as copper prices continue to plummet.
Another Tati Mine related venture, the P3 billion Activox Project near
Matsilojoe closed down indefinitely last year, leaving 700 workers in
the lurch. It cited high cost of building material as the reason for
the closure.
Meanwhile at least 7,541 workers reported unfair treatment by their
employers with the labour office the last year. Siele told Parliament
that out of this number, 3,850 workers had their cases settled at
mediation, with 1,564 cases referred to the Industrial Court. Another
1,599 workers withdrew their cases.
The minister said during the year, a total of 2,158 labour inspections
were carried out across enterprises and industries including wholesale
and retail, hospitality, manufacturing and farming sectors throughout
the country. The main findings included failure to provide insurance
cover for workers, failure to pay the minimum wage, poor employment
records, failure to observe regulations on hours of work and paid
public holidays, no provisions for annual leave, maternity and sick
leave.
The minister said the current Factories Act will be reviewed to cater
for the health, safety and welfare of workers at their work places.
Siele said a survey will be undertaken to establish a baseline data on
accidents, diseases, and other dangerous occurrences and their cost to
the economy.
The Trade Disputes Act will be reviewed to make provisions for cases to
be heard by a Panel of Mediators and not by one panellist as is the
current practice. The minister said he will strengthen the case
referral system.