Employment and Working Conditions
The tourism and hospitality industry falls within the service sector and employs many people in different capacities. As in other sectors it is important to monitor employment and working conditions in this sector. However, to date there has not yet been any systematic investigation into employment and wage conditions in the South African hospitality sector.
In terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (section 52 and 53), the Minister of Labour requested the Director-General to investigate the conditions of employment and wages in the Hospitality Industry in the Republic of South Africa. However, this investigation has not yet been finalized, - partly because of the complexity and the size of the sector. As a consequence, there has not been any recent sectoral determination in this industry, which would have set in place minimum wages and related stipulations. In line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997, a sectoral determination establishes basic conditions of employment for employees in a sector and area.
Case Study
A case study of Restaurants in Bloemfontein, Free State Province, RSA:
Members from the Economics Department of the University of Free State, L.J. Bothma and K. Thomas, conducted an investigation at the beginning of 2000 to assess the working conditions of waiters in restaurants. The study found discrepancies between the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the actual working conditions of waiters. Long working hours, low and unpredictable wages and a lack of stability were some of the issues uncovered. The investigators concluded that although the results apply to Bloemfontein restaurants only, they are likely to apply across the country. Bothma and Thomas urge the Department of Labour of the need for much more investigation before a sectoral determination is to be made, as they make a case for minimum wages.
The study is published in:
The South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences , 2001, Volume 4, Number 2, Pages 263-273.
Minimum Wages
In the absence of a sectoral determination by the Department of Labour, the collective agreements by various bargaining councils have similar status. Bargaining Councils have the power to conclude collective agreements as provided by the Labour Relations Act. In relation to the Hospitality Industry there are currently three Bargaining Councils in South Africa each with its own prescribed minimum wages applicable in the relevant regions/areas.
The specific prescriptions of wages can be accessed from the relevant Bargaining Council by contacting them.
These are:
- Liquor, Catering and Accommodation Trades (South Coast Natal): Contact details: Telephone: 039 6821088/9 and Fax: 039 682 1647
- Tearoom, Restaurant and Catering Trades (Pretoria): Contact details: Telephone: 012 321 6691/328 3610 and Fax : 012 323 2050
- Restaurant, Catering and Allied Trades (Witwatersrand): Contact details: Telephone: 011 339 2834/5 and Fax: 011 339 2804
USEFUL LINKS
Local links
http://www.workinfo.com/ - A website which contains resources for the workplace such as legislations, policies and procedures, labour court case summaries, etc.
http://www.labourprotect.co.za - A website with items related to discrimination and related issues.
http://www.labour.gov.za - The official website of the South African Department of Labour.
http://www.naledi.org.za - NALEDI (National Labour and Economic Development Institute) whose mission is to conduct policy-relevant research related to the labour movement in South Africa is an initiative of COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions - http://www.cosatu.org.za ).
http://www.nedlac.org.za - NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council) is an institution in South Africa, which serves as a forum for dialogue amongst the government, organized business, organized labour and community on issues of social and economic policy.
Global link
http://www.ilo.org - The official website of the International Labour Organization, which deals with issues related to labour, workplace and employment conditions.
