Labour goes to the people

As the provincial department of labour takes services to communities…

As part of its on-going outreach programme, the department of labour this week descended on the small town of Heilbron, where it assisted members of the public with an array of labour-related challenges.

The aim of the initiative is to bring vital services closer to the people, and at least 286 people were assisted with issues ranging from unemployment insurance fund to registering on the department’s job seekers data base, not to mention the compensation fund.

Heilbron was the starting town in the campaign that seeks to cover the width and breadth of the province.

Department spokesperson Paul Ramoloko said the campaign was a success as residents heeded the call to attend and receive direct access to the services of the department.

“The main objective of this series of outreach campaigns is to take services closer to the people and provide a one-stop-shop of all services offered by the department.

“The campaign is held in conjunction with other branches of the department such as the inspection and enforcement services, public employment services unit, as well as the Unemployment Insurance Fund,” he said.

He said the compensation fund unit determined that four cases of injury on duty were adjudicated and accepted while seven cases were confirmed as not permanent disablement.

“Eleven medical adjudications were done, three pensions confirmed and clients are to be paid for permanent disablement, three unreported fatalities identified and inspectors to conduct thorough investigations,” he said.

As for the Unemployment Insurance Fund, a total of 134 cases were recorded while fifteen applications were approved and would be processed by the paymaster.

“Six clients’ applications were processed, finalised and paid instantly, one application was rejected,” he said

On the highlights of the inspection and enforcement services case, he said 20 cases of non -compliance with labour laws (by employers) were recorded for further investigation while the department’s public employment services accepted sixty CV’s for possible placement from work seekers.

Ramoloko said department’s entourage which includes decision makers within the department will be criss-crossing the province to fast-track processes while assisting clients with injury on duty, occupational diseases or fatality claims.

“Work seekers are also encouraged to bring along their CVs to be registered on the database of the Department of Labour for possible placement as and when job opportunities become available.
The campaign is used as one of many pro-active mechanisms the department of labour has adopted to try and speed up service delivery and ensure the livelihoods of clients are improved at all material times.

A similar campaign will be held at Botshabelo today, following other successful ones at Parys, Wesselsbron, and Marquard.