Domestic, farm workers must benefit from labour programmes

© Leon Swart – 123RF.com

The Department's Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) appeared before the committee on Wednesday to brief it on its strategic plan and annual performance plan.

The UIF told the committee that registering domestic workers with the fund is still a challenge.

Yengeni said the committee was pleased that the department and the UIF pay domestic workers when they complain about non-payment, and that the fund also follows up on non-compliant employers.

"Employers and the rich exploit people without having to account for their transgressions. This is an area that the UIF, despite improvements and the good work, needs to tighten," Yengeni said.

She said poverty alleviation, closing the wealth gap and addressing inequality require that the country pulls in one direction and most importantly, that employers and employees comply with legislation.

"Despite their meagre salaries, domestic and farm workers are still denied the benefits they are entitled to. These transgressions necessitate and validate the need for a strictly monitored national minimum wage once it has been implemented," she said.