Employers not meeting regulations

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Wednesday March 3, 2010 00:00

In the 2, 778 labour inspections conducted, Siele revealed that industries inspected include building and construction, manufacturing as well as hotel and tourism.

He said by the end of last year, his ministry received 12, 241 reports, with 6, 542 of the cases solved through mediation, '2, 746 were referred to the Industrial Court and 322 were withdrawn by the aggrieved parties,' he said.

The minister stated that they carried out inspections around the country to establish the health and safety state of workers in factories, and discovered 20 serious injuries in the building and construction sites. These consisted of serious injuries to the spine.

He expressed hope that employers would act accordingly to 'bring to conclusion such injuries in accordance with the law'.

Meanwhile the minister reported that 503 graduates of the National Internship Programme have since found jobs in government, councils, parastatals, the private sector and other sectors in various industries. When it started, the programme enrolled 2, 643 graduates.

Some, added the minister have pulled out, to pursue further studies, whilst others withdrew for personal reasons, 1, 700 are 'still learning work related skills through the programme. A total of 540 interns will complete their 12 months service at the end of May 2010. My ministry is engaged in issues relating to the long term solution regarding the absorption of these graduates,' he announced.