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UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Prof Stefan van Eck Update on the LRA Amendments 25 August 2014. LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]). INTRODUCTION L abour market reality – growth of atypical work Became political issue when trade unions called for a ban on labour brokers before Polokwane in 2007
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UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Prof Stefan van Eck Update on the LRA Amendments 25 August 2014
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) INTRODUCTION • Labour market reality – growth of atypical work • Became political issue when trade unions called for a ban on labour brokers before Polokwane in 2007 • Number of changes – most significant relate to “non-standard work” • The context: employers’ desire flexibility and workers seek protection • Amendments have passed all stages at parliament – but President has not signed ASPECTS COVERED • Temporary employment services (labour brokers) • Fixed term contracts • Part-time employees • Time permitting: CCMA awards; reviews; dismissal; and automatic unfair dismissal
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) 1. Temporary employment services (“TES” - labour brokers) THE CURRENT POSITION • Definition S 198(1) the TES provides an employee to a client, the TES remunerates the employee, the worker is an employee of the TES, the employee works under supervision and control of the client, the TES invoices the client • Consequences S 198(4) – TES and client jointly and severally liable: • Collective agreements; • Arbitration awards regarding conditions of service; • Provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act; and • Determinations Wage Act.
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) • Temporary employment services (“TES” - labour brokers) • Problems • Who is liable for ULP and unfair dismissal? • Long duration – nothing temporary about it • Paid less than clients’ employees doing the same work • Acquisition of organisational rights and collective bargaining • Additions to general provisions • S 198 heading “Regulation of non-standard work” • S 198(4A) – If jointly and severally liable - proceed against TES or client • S 198(4B) - Written particulars of employment - when commences • S 198 (4F) - No person may be TES unless registered itoEmplServ Act
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) • Temporary employment services (“TES” - labour brokers) • S 198A(2) - application • Persons earning below earnings threshold R205 433-30 • S 198A(1) – Definition of “temporary service” • Period not exceeding 3 months; or as substitute for employee; or BC collective agreement, sectoral determination or Ministerial notice • Consequences • S 198A(3)(a) - within the 3 months employee of the TES • S 198A(3)(b) - longer than 3 months “deemed” employee of the client • S 198A(3)(c) – and, subject to 198B, indefinitely employed • S 198A(4) - termination to avoid = “is a dismissal” • S 198A(5) - treated on the whole not less favourarably – unless justified • S 198A(9) – Employed before Amendment – acquire rights 3 months after
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) • Temporary employment services (“TES” - labour brokers) Comments: • Significant improvements for lower earners – but hardly any for higher earners • Covers equal treatment, temporary nature and joint liability • 3 months short – could devastate the lower portions of the industry • To be noted: • uncertainty about the term “deemed to be employee” • no equal rights regarding training or access to positions • no prohibition against contracts prohibiting joining client • no alleviation to smaller employers
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) 2. Fixed Term Contracts • S 198B(2) – Application: Does not apply to: • Employees earning above R205 433-30 • Employers with less than 10 employees or less than 50 in first 2 years • Contracts permitted by other statute, collective agreement or sectoral determination • S 198B(1) - Definition: • Fixed term contract means a contract of employment that terminates on: • Occurrence of specified event • Completion of specified task or project • Fixed date prior to retirement subject to s 198B(3) (justifications)
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) 2. Fixed Term Contracts • S 198B(3) – May employ longer than three months only if: • Nature of work is of “limited or of definite duration”; or • Employer can demonstrate other justifiable reason: • S 198B(4)(a)-(i) - Justifiable reasons – such as: • Replacing another employee, increase in work volume, student or recent graduate, non-citizen on work permit, seasonal work ect Consequences: • S 198B(5) - deemed to be indefinite duration • S 198B(6) - offer in writing and state reasons • S 198B(8) - not treated less favourably than permanent employee • S 198B(9) - must provide equal access to opportunities to apply for jobs • S 198B(10) - after 24 months – severance pay of 1 week per year
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) 2. Fixed Term Contracts Comments: • Significant improvement for lower earners – but none to higher earners • 3 months short • More protection than TES workers regarding equal access to join the employer • Less protection regarding training than part-time employees • Nothing about a comparator as with part-time work
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) 3. Part-time Employees • S 198C(2) - Application: Does not apply to: • Employees who earn above threshold R205 433-30 • Employers with less than 10 employees or less than 50 in first 2 years • Employee working less than 24 hours a month • During employees first 3 months of employment • S 198C(1) - Definition: Employee who is remunerated: • Wholly or partly by reference to the time worked • Works less time than comparable full-time employee
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) 3. Part-time Employees Consequences - Taking account of hours: • S 198C(3)(a) - treated not less favourably than comparable employee • S 198C(3)(b) - equal access to training and skills development • S 198C(3)(b) - equal access to opportunities to apply for vacancies • S 198C(6) - comparable full-time employee - same type of employment relationship and who performs the same work Comments: • More protection than other categories – training and access to jobs • Uncertain whether refers to indefinitely employed person
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) • General provisions • S 198D(1) – Disputes regarding 198A-C referred to BC’s and CCMA • S 198D(2) – Different treatment justifiable on grounds of: Seniority, experience, length of service, merit, quality and quantity of work • S 198D(3) – Disputes referred in 6 months 5. Arbitration Awards • S 143(1) – Arbitration award final and binding as if order of LC
LRA AMENDMENTS (Bill [B 16D-2012]) • Review of Awards • S 145(7) - Application does not suspend award • S145(8) – Security - reinstatement orders 24 months’; compensation – equal to amount of compensation ito the award • Termination • S 186(1)(a) - termination of [contract of] employment • S 186(1)(b) - reasonable expectation “on indefinite basis” • Automatically Unfair Dismissal • S 187(c) – if the reason for dismissal is “[to compel the employee] refusal by employees to accept a demand” • S 67(5) – May dismiss protected strikers on operational grounds subject to Chapter VIII - Fry’s Metals - to compel the employee Questions?