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The Minister said the sectoral determination, which comes into effect on Monday was an historic agreement, because while it fulfilled the mandate of protecting the interests of these vulnerable workers, the determination was to a large extent based on agreements thrashed out in industry-based bargaining forums.
"My ideal is to see a labour market where because of the strength of employer and worker organisations there is no need for me to promulgate sectoral determinations. The fact that this determination is based on decisions taken by employers and workers is a significant step to achieving this goal," the Mdladlana said.
He emphasised that he believed social dialogue was key to the effective functioning of a fair labour market.
The Sectoral Determination, in line with international best practice, is set for a period of three years. This was advantageous, according to the Minister, because it allows for stability in the sector and also for longer- term planning by employers.
The Minister added that he hoped that at the end of the three-year period, there would be a fully-fledged bargaining council in place, so the industry would not have to rely on government intervention.
The Sectoral Determination sets minimum wages at levels ranging from 911.00 rand in rural areas to 2,533.00 rand in urban areas. The wages represent an overall increase for entry levels in excess of 7% every year for three years.
In a shift from earlier security wage determinations, wages are no longer set on an hourly basis, but monthly. This not only fixes the wages of security officers, but can also be regarded as upgrading the profession.
The application of the Determination is split into five different areas based on levels of urbanisation. The three-year agreement allows for the guaranteed increase on the anniversary of the implementation date.
Other conditions of employment include the stipulation of night shift allowances and improvements to maternity benefits over the next three years.
South African Transport and Workers Union (Satawu) earlier this week said it was delighted to learn that Mdladlana has finally promulgated the three-year wage agreement for the Private Security Service Industry, effective from June 16.
The union said the enactment was as the result of numerous protest marches by its members directed at the Department of Labour since the agreement was reached on November 12 last year between social partners in the industry.
Security guards will also be entitled to a night shift allowance, which will be progressively increased from 1.35 rand to 2.50 rand an hour in the third year.
Confusion surrounding the annual leave has been cleared in that workers will now be paid in terms of the BCEA. And for the first time workers will be entitled to three days study leave, Satawu stated.
Satawu contended that the hourly rate had been abused by employers. The union added that it viewed these developments as a victory for workers.
The next phase of struggle for decent working conditions in the security industry will be to reduce the current wage rate areas from five to two in the next two years. In this way the wage disparities for workers in different areas will be closed.
