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Johannesburg - Amendments to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) will give the government more power to protect vulnerable workers, the labour department said on Tuesday.
"Amendments were proposed to give the labour minister powers to intervene to halt exploitation of vulnerable workers," chief director Thembinkosi Mkalipi said.
He told Parliament's portfolio committee on labour there was no organisational capacity in most of the sectors where vulnerable workers worked.
The amendments of the BCEA would give the labour minister power to be able not only to increase the minimum wages, but also effect increases on actual wages.
Opposition parties were concerned that the amendments would predispose the minister to abuse powers if the clause for intervention was approved.
"No minister could pronounce unilaterally without expert advice, as if he or she is in a beer hall when deciding on sectoral determinations," Mkalipi said.
He said that in terms of the amendments of BCEA, the minister would not have carte blanche powers, but would consult with the Employment Conditions Committee (ECC) for advice.
The ECC is an independent body made up of business, labour and experts in the field of labour.
The committee advises the minister on matters of sectoral determination - those that deal with conditions of employment in relation to wages, and conditions of employment.
If the aggrieved party felt there had been a ministerial abuse of power, a judicial process to seek a review was available.
Mkalipi allayed fears that the interventions would also weaken the power of trade unions.
The portfolio committee was expected to hold further discussions on the amendments next week.
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"Amendments were proposed to give the labour minister powers to intervene to halt exploitation of vulnerable workers," chief director Thembinkosi Mkalipi said.
He told Parliament's portfolio committee on labour there was no organisational capacity in most of the sectors where vulnerable workers worked.
The amendments of the BCEA would give the labour minister power to be able not only to increase the minimum wages, but also effect increases on actual wages.
Opposition parties were concerned that the amendments would predispose the minister to abuse powers if the clause for intervention was approved.
"No minister could pronounce unilaterally without expert advice, as if he or she is in a beer hall when deciding on sectoral determinations," Mkalipi said.
He said that in terms of the amendments of BCEA, the minister would not have carte blanche powers, but would consult with the Employment Conditions Committee (ECC) for advice.
The ECC is an independent body made up of business, labour and experts in the field of labour.
The committee advises the minister on matters of sectoral determination - those that deal with conditions of employment in relation to wages, and conditions of employment.
If the aggrieved party felt there had been a ministerial abuse of power, a judicial process to seek a review was available.
Mkalipi allayed fears that the interventions would also weaken the power of trade unions.
The portfolio committee was expected to hold further discussions on the amendments next week.
*Follow Fin24 on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest.
