BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE department of labour in North West closed down few offices at mini-Garona building in Vryburg. The department visited the building last week after complainants from some of employees who alleged that there building was not conducive. The building that cost the provincial government more than R300m harbours more than ten provincial government offices.

The department of labour provincial spokesperson, Orpa Mathabe said: “We visited the area and closed down few offices for non-compliance. There is no ventilation machinery system, and some of the windows do not open. So, that makes it hard for workers to work under those conditions. We completely closed down the office of the premier, department of education and partial closed the department of social development and health department.

“We are currently busy with paperwork after we realised that the department of education defied the rules and continue to use their office. We will drag them to court because what they doing is encroachment. We urge all private and public sectors to comply with the labour rules to avoid disappointment.”

The department of public works said the investigations were underway to determine if the problems persisted through poor workmanship or not.

Provincial Public Works MEC, Madoda Sambatha said: “We are currently conducting internal investigations. We want to check if the problems arose after the handover of the building by contractor or not. We will work together with the department of labour to derivate the problems. The provincial government aims at creating a mini-Garona at each district within the province. That will help our people to access government offices easily.

-TDN

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