A nationwide pledge aimed at creating safer, healthier working environments for those working in the construction sector is set to be signed this week.
The Department of Employment and Labour said the Decent Work in Construction Pledge will be signed at roadshows in Cape Town on Wednesday and in George on Friday.
Wednesday’s roadshow will take place at the Aspired Country Manor in Philippi and Friday’s roadshow will take place at the Protea Hotel King George.
“Each roadshow stop will feature informative presentations, interactive sessions, and the opportunity to sign the Decent Work in Construction Pledge.”
The department and its partners, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) and the Compensation Fund (CF), have united to support labour rights and ethical business practices in the construction sector.
The partnership focuses on advancing labour rights, eliminating exploitative practices and enhancing productivity in a sector that is vital to the country’s economic growth. The recently signed Construction Health and Safety Accord plays a vital role in advancing the decent work agenda in the sector.
This agreement between government, organised labour and organised business aims to create safer, healthier working environments.
It also promotes collaboration among all parties to prioritise workers’ safety while enhancing business efficiency.
“The construction sector is one of the largest employers in South Africa, generating thousands of jobs annually. However, it is also an industry where decent work challenges, such as safety risks, informal labour practices and wage exploitation, are prevalent,” the department said.
“The objective of this initiative is to change this narrative by promoting fair, compliant, and fulfilling work conditions for construction workers, while simultaneously boosting productivity for businesses.
“Decent Work advocates for employment that respects the dignity, safety, and rights of all workers. It defines decent work in the construction sector as employment that is fulfilling, compliant with regulations, and free from exploitation,” the department explained.
Establishing a foundation for meaningful transformation within the construction sector, the Decent Work in Construction campaign promotes:
- Advocacy efforts aimed at raising awareness among employers, workers, and the public about the importance of decent work. This includes ensuring all stakeholders understand their rights and responsibilities in creating fair and productive workplaces.
- Regular workplace inspections to ensure compliance with labour standards and health and safety regulations. There will be an increase in inspections within the industry to ensure companies adhere to legal requirements, safeguarding workers’ rights and well-being.
- Strict enforcement of labour laws, with DEL and its social partners holding violators accountable and ensuring corrective actions are swiftly implemented. This will deter exploitative practices and encourage ethical business conduct.
- Capacity building through regular training programmes, workshops, and other resources to empower both employers and workers. Businesses will improve compliance and productivity, while workers will gain skills for personal development and job security.
“By signing, businesses and individuals commit to promoting fair, safe, and compliant working conditions. Workers and the public are also urged to report any instances of exploitation, non-compliance, or unsafe conditions to their nearest labour centre,” the department said.
These reports will help identify and address unfair practices, ensuring workers’ rights are upheld.
The department said the benefits of decent work extend beyond individual workers, helping businesses thrive, reducing turnover, and enhancing overall industry productivity. – SAnews.gov.za
Watch a Pledge to improve working conditions in the construction sector related video:
Stunning South Africa:
MyPR.co.za offers free to publish press releases for your news site, blog or offline publication. Use the handy REPUBLISH facility or the Full Text RSS Feeds or just copy and paste.
Straton Electrical | Straton Solar | Straton Prepaid | Straton Plumbing | Straton IoT | Straton eBikes | BA Systems | Mbane Contracting | Reach Trust
Frosty Sunshine
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is home to the world’s longest wine route: Route 62. It spans an impressive 850 kilometres and the excellent wineries along the way are a must-visit for lovers of fine wine! You can even enjoy the winelands on a day trip from Cape Town. Travel 40-min to an hour outside of the city centre to enjoy decadent wine tastings and even wander through some of the beautiful wine farms and estates! Suburbs like Durbanville and Constantia are even closer to the city centre and are also home to many exceptional wineries.
Codeexia
A South African, an Australian and an Englishman are all having a drink
The Englishman and South African both drink from Pint Glasses, the Australian from a bottle.
The South African, upon draining his glass, drops in back down on the bar, pulls out a pistol, and shoots the glass.
\”In South Africa, there is so much sand that I never drink from the same glass twice!\”
The Australian, having drained his bottle, sets it down upon the bar and, upon seizing the South African\’s pistol, shoots his bottle.
\”In Australia, there is so much booze that I never drink from the same brand twice!\”
The Englishman, likewise having drained his glass, sets his glass upon the table, seizes the pistol the pistol from the Australian, and shoots the South African and the Australian, quite dead.
\”In England, there are so many of you bastards that I never drink with the same two twice!\”