The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) applauds the progressive proposal by the Minister for Employment and Labour, Ms. N. Meth, to declare employees in the advertising, artistic and cultural sectors as workers with the full protection and rights set out in our labour laws.
The Federation fully supports this long overdue call. We are pleased that COSATU and unions in these sectors, including the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA)’s relentless campaigns to ensure these workers are protected from naked abuse and exploitation and are afforded their hard-won labour rights is bearing fruit. It is critical that this extension includes workers in the fast-growing film industry as well.
Workers in these important sectors have borne the brunt of some of the most inhumane violations, from being made to work in dangerous conditions leading to loss of life and limb, to being denied paid sick or maternity leave, the right to earn no less than the National Minimum Wage, or join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining. We cannot continue to allow such employers to treat workers like glorified slaves.
This timeous call by the African National Congress led government will ensure that these workers cannot be paid less than the National Minimum Wage, are entitled to relief under the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Fund, as well as the protections afforded by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, namely set working hours, overtime pay and paid leave, severance pay and formal working contracts.
These progressive amendments will be complemented by the historic agreements COSATU fought for and secured at the Nedlac labour law reforms where vulnerable workers will be entitled to unionise and collective bargaining, minimum shifts, and will be covered by the Unemployment Insurance and the Compensation Funds. These are included in the proposed amendments to the labour laws.
COSATU is pleased that its efforts to extend the protections of our labour laws to vulnerable workers are gaining momentum. These interventions are critical as the nature of work evolves. Our labour laws must equally evolve and be strengthened to ensure that all workers are protected and are able to assert their hard-won rights.
Issued by COSATU
Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)
Mobile: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za
