By Bongiwe Dlamini

MATSAPHA: Phila Buthelezi, the Minister of Labour and Social Security visited PitBull Security Company and Ruchi Wholesalers in Matsapha on Thursday to monitor worker and employer relations.

According to Government online platforms, the Minister Buthelezi who previously visited other companies said these were courtesy calls to see the situation on the ground and for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to look at how to harmonise relations between workers and employers.

“At both companies, the Minister met workers and employers separately, where employers highlighted the challenges they faced, as well as achievements. Challenges highlighted by employers included lack of industry regulations for the security sector, contractual agreements, lowest bidder system, tax compliance and non-representation in the Wages Councils, among others.Workers, on the other hand, highlighted that wages were a major concern as the minimum wage did not fulfil the needs of their livelihood, adding that employment terms were also a challenge as they were mostly employed on contract, particularly at Ruchi. Other challenges highlighted were overtime, uniform, working hours and employee relations, among others,” reads the Government online report.

Present during the tour were Regional Administrator Chief Gija, Principal Secretary Makhosini Mndawe, Labour Commissioner Mthunzi Shabangu and senior labour officers.