Employment (Work Conditions, UIF, Occupation Health, Bargaining Councils, Skills Levies, HIV/Aids Policies)

If you employ people in your business, then you need to adhere to a range of labour laws, including those regulating:

• Basic Conditions of Employment
• Unemployment Insurance
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Bargaining Councils
• Skills Development
• HIV/Aids Workplace Policies

BASIC CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) applies to all workers and sets out the minimum standards for any employment relationship, such as work hours and leave. Read a useful summary of the BCEA or visit the Department of Labour's website for more information.

Relevant legislation:

• Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997
• Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND (UIF)

All employees and their employers are required to make contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Get more information on unemployment insurance or visit the Department of Labour's website.

Relevant legislation:

• Unemployment Insurance Act, 63 of 2001
• Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act, 4 of 2002

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Employees can claim compensation if they are injured in the workplace (in certain circumstances) through the government occupational health and safety programme. Find out more about occupational safety requirements and compensation for occupational injuries or visit the Department of Labour's website for details on occupational health and safety and information on claiming for workplace injuries and diseases.

Relevant legislation:

• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 83 of 1993
• Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 130 of 1993
• Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Act, 61 of 1997

REGISTRATION OF A BARGAINING COUNCIL

Trade unions and employers' organisations can form bargaining councils. Bargaining councils deal with collective agreements, solve labour disputes, establish various schemes (funds) and can even make proposals on labour policies and laws. Get more information from the Department of Labour's website.

Relevant legislation:

• Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Businesses are required to register with their Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) for the Skills Development Levy. Read more about the Skills Development Levy or get instructions on how to register and how to get training on the Department of Labour's website.

Relevant legislation:

• Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998 (as amended)
• Skills Development Levies Act, 9 of 1999

WORKPLACE HIV/AIDS POLICIES

HIV/AIDS affects employee welfare and can impact on productivity and profitability. Get detailed information on setting up workplace HIV/Aids policies and programmes.