Labour Briefing on the Programme of Work of the Employment Conditions Commission 22 November 2011 Labour Structure of the Presentation The Role and Functions of the ECC Introduction & Background of SD 13 Issues raised on Implementation of the SD Relevant research findings Impact of the Sectoral Determination on wages, poverty and employment levels in the farming sector Current processes Labour Mandate informed by: Ministers plan of Action Matters set out in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act: Chapter 9: 1.Alleviation of poverty 2.Cost of living 3.Effect on employment 4.ability to carry out the business Secretarial support provided by Employment Standards Labour Role and function of the ECC Labour The Role and function of the ECC Department of labours mandate is: Protection of vulnerable workers. How? The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) of 1997 (amended 2002) provides for the promulgation of sectoral determinations which establish minimum wages for workers in specific sectors of the economy. The BCEA s59( 1) makes provision for the creation of the Employment Conditions Commission (ECC). Aim of the ECC To protect vulnerable workers in SA labour force in sectors in which they are likely to be exploited, or where worker organizations and trade unions are absent, or other wage regulating mechanisms. Labour Members of the ECC Members of the ECC are appointed by the Minister after consultation with NEDLAC Chairperson:Prof I. Woolard Members: Prof I. Valodia & Prof A. Van Der Walt Organised Business:Mr. K. Moyane Alternate Member (Business): Ms A. Ranchod Organised labour:Mr B.Ntshalintshali Alternate Member (Labour): Ms J. Barrett Labour Functions of the ECC The ECCs mandate is to advise the Minister on various matters such as: The making of sectoral determinations in order to protect vulnerable workers in SA in sectors in which they are likely to be exploited Matters concerning the BCEA Wage differentials Child labour: regulations on hazardous work Eleven Sectoral Determinations have been established namely: Forestry, Agriculture, Contract Cleaning, Children in the Performing Arts (under 15 years of age), Taxi Operators, Civil Engineering, Learnerships, Private Security, Domestic Workers, Wholesale and Retail and Hospitality Labour SD 13 Agricultural sector Labour Background of SD:13 Farm worker sector The Sectoral Determination was published on 2 December 2002 and came into effect on 16 December The SD was reviewed in Feb 2006 and Feb 2009 and will be reviewed again in 2012 The Farm Worker sectoral determination applies to all agricultural sector workers, excluding workers in the forestry sector (The definition includes a domestic worker & security guards working for a farm as well). Labour Current wage levels in the sector The current wage levels in the sector until 2012 are R7.04 per hour R per week R per month South Africas QLF data showed that the agricultural sector has shed jobs on agriculture. In the 1 st quarter of 2010 the sector employed only compared to people in the previous quarter resulting in a decline of 3.8%. Labour ECCs approach in respect of agricultural investigation Set a floor of rights cognizant of the needs of the sector Address concerns of both farmers and farm workers Be mindful of and facilitate the transformation and restructuring in the agricultural sector. Labour Issues Raised on Implementation of the SD Exemption of small business- addressed Young workers ( years) -addressed; Definition of task and piece work- addressed 27 hour provision-phased out in Demarcation- phased out in 2008; Medical certificates- addressed in GG of 10 January 2008; Labour Impact of sectoral determination A study was conducted to provide an analysis of the impact of the current sectoral determinations on a range of labour market outcomes, including wage levels, employment, and poverty. In addition, to provide an analysis of compliance and enforcement levels within regulated sectors in the South African labour market. Labour Impact on wage levels Labour Impact of the SD on wage levels Table 1: Change in real monthly wages by sectoral determination (covered workers only). Sectoral Determination Mean annual growth rate Retail3,3123,5171.0% Domestic % Farm workers8811,3467.3% Forestry1,2461,7285.6% Taxi2,8542, % Security2,6132, % Hospitality2,2032,7423.7% Contract cleaning2,4132,6011.3% Civil engineering14,82711, % Total1,8712,1172.1% Source: http :// Labour Research Findings: Impact of the SD on wage levels The table above explored the changes in real wage between 2001 and 2007 The table indicates that a rise in real wage was driven by the farm worker sector with 7.3% increase The significant rise may indicate that the minimum wage has had an effect on vulnerable workers such as farm workers Labour Impact on Poverty Labour Impact of the SD on poverty Source: http ://Table 3: FGT poverty measures by sectoral determination Sectoral determinationp0p1p2p0p1p2 Rand 322 (2000 prices)/day poverty line Retail (at least one retail worker)30.6%15.0%9.8%22.9%9.2%5.2% Domestic70.8%45.9%34.2%53.8%30.0%20.2% Farm77.1%46.7%33.4%59.6%30.4%19.3% Forestry54.0%31.4%20.8%34.9%19.3%12.5% Taxi40.1%18.0%10.3%38.4%18.2%10.9% Security36.0%17.6%11.3%32.6%15.0%9.0% Hospitality41.8%21.1%13.4%32.8%15.4%9.0% Contract cleaning45.2%20.4%12.1%39.9%18.5%11.1% Civil engineering1.6%1.1%0.8%8.6%6.6%5.1% Total (at least one covered in household) 54.4%31.9%22.7%42.7%22.1%14.2% Labour Research Findings: Impact of the SD on poverty There has been a significant decline in the level and depth of poverty between 2001 and In households with at least one worker covered by sectoral determination in South Africa, under the Rand 322 per day poverty line, the percentage of poor individuals declined significantly from 54.4 percent to 42.7 percent between 2001 and 2007, while the poverty gap declined significantly by 9.8 percentage points respectively. In South Africa as a whole, the decline in poverty using both definitions of the poverty line, was also statistically significant. Labour Current issues under consideration Labour Current Issues Provident Fund The current sectoral determination does not make provision for the provident fund or pension fund for the farm worker sector. The Department has commenced with the consultation process to determine the feasibility of having such a fund for farm workers established. Labour Provident Fund Such a fund was already mooted as early as 2002 but has been impacted by the discussions on social security reform. Public hearings measured significant support for the establishment of some form of retirement benefit. The ECC is mindful of the social security reform and some pronouncement in the media on provident funds. The mechanics of such a fund (if established) will be developed in dialogue with social partners Labour Going Forward Finalise the investigations into the possible establishment of provident funds and medical schemes in the sectors identified Investigate new sectoral determinations: Fishing and building sectors Consider the welfare sector as a possible sector for establishing a SD Labour Going Forward Review on a regular basis existing determinations Research on the taxi sector in the context of a broader transport sector and the impact of transport transformation on the taxi sector. Labour Workplan SERVICE DELIVERY OUTCOME: Decent employment through inclusive economic growth STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE: KRA 3: Protecting vulnerable workers KEY OUTPUTPROGRAMME PERFORMANCE INDICATOR ANNUAL TARGET Sectoral determinations published for residual and emerging vulnerable workers Review existing sectoral determinations Publish amended Sectoral Determinations for Hospitality,Wholesale and Retail, Taxi, Contract Cleaning, Private Security, Civil Engineering and Provident Fund for Farm and Domestic Workers Labour Thank You!!!