Department explains labour law changes

"After six months, I cannot be treated differently from other employees, no matter if I am employed by the broker or the client," he said.

"Let's give workers what is due to them."

This could be summarised as "same treatment and same pay for the same work".

Exceptions included workers who earned more than R172,000 per year, certain types of seasonal work and contracts to replace staff on sick leave.

Despite pressure from labour unions, Mkalipi said the department saw greater value in regulating labour brokers through the law, rather than abolishing them.

Dumisani Dakile, of the Congress of SA Trade Unions, said labour was "highly disappointed" that broking had not been outlawed in the bills.

"Slavery was far better than labour broking," he said in question time.

The purpose of the briefing was to inform the public about the amendments to the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

Briefings would be held across the country until the end of April.

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant submitted the bills to the Cabinet committee on March 14, and their submission to Parliament was approved the following week.

Mkalipi said Parliament could put the bills up for further public hearings, but the department had conducted these in 2010 and would not make further changes.

Source: Sapa