Employers in South Africa have the liberty of joining an Employers Organisation in the country, and this can be very helpful for different reasons. In fact, the Department of Labour already agreed that all employers here have a right to form and join employers organisations.
The roles of employer organisations on South Africa revolves around the delivery of effective and efficient representation and service to those they serve. Since it is backed by relevant authorities, all employers’ organisations therefore have a right to operate in the country, and they also have the liberty to be affiliated to other lawful bodies. Part of their core responsibilities is linked with reaching a settlement that serves social justice, labour peace as well as economic growth.
Roles Of Employer Organisations In South Africa
Here are prominent functions of employers organisations:
1. Protecting The Interest Of Employers
Employers organisations are meant to protect and promote the interest of employers in the country, particularly those attached to the association. The fact remains that employers in South Africa also have a myriad of interests which they will always seek to be promoted (to achieve their own several aims) and secured (to as much as possible reduce the factors that could hinder the aims).
This indeed is one of the core and pivotal roles of every functioning employers organisations. And effectiveness in this will always encourage other employers to jump into the ship.
2. Labour Policy
Functioning employers organisations are saddled with the responsibilities of studying and analysing information that has to do with labour policy. They adequately put in place a structure that works well when it comes to gathering relevant information that has to do with labour management relations and the likes.
Additionally, employers organisations disseminate information relating to these issues to relevant stakeholders. And they also provide valuable counsel that revolves around different aspects of labour policy.
3. Training
Employers Organisations gives good attention to support in the area of training. A functional association is always committed to training of its staff and members. It is vehemently committed to their development, ensuring they keep improving in different aspects.
It is well known that leaders themselves must keep embracing growth and development, so they can maximise their potential and work at an optimal level. Such individuals would be able to adequately lead and motivate others to perform their own responsibility impressively, and it will positively affect the output of their operations.
4. Influencing The Work Place And Working Environment
Employers Organisations can have big influence and impact on the workplace and working environment across sectors. This is easy since the association is filled with decision makers that can easily effect changes in their various organisations.
One of the most important areas their impact is needed is in the area of safety and health at work place and working environment. It is not news that many organisations in South Africa are yet to put in place a really safe working environment, thereby endangering the lives of workers. These are some of the lapses that brings avoidable issues, and the employers organisation can come in to ensure things are done the way they way they ought to be done.
5. Projects For Social And Family Welfare
This is one famous area where employers organisations is sharing similarities with trade unions. When it comes to indulging in activities that promotes social and family welfare, they have to be vehemently committed. Like trade unions, these are some of the things they can excel in that will promote easy acceptance where it matters.
In addition to all of these, employers organisations in South Africa can also build a structure where it is easy to gather data on wages and conditions of work in sectors they can deal with. They can conduct surveys and publish research-based reports that deal with stuff which are helpful to every stakeholder in the workplace.
Finally, employers organisations in South Africa can indulge in different initiatives to educate the public as touching things they need to know about the character and importance of the economic activities its members are indulging in.
Forming An Employers’ Organisation In South Africa
All employers have a right to form and join an employers’ organisation, and can partake in lawful employers’ organisation activities at will. In South Africa, it is not a must that these associations should register with the Department of Labour before they can operate legally in the country (although it is advisable that they should do so).
It should however be noted that when an employers organisation decides to be registered via the table of the registrar of labour relations, they have the authority to decide not to register the association if they are not sure of its genuineness.
If you are having difficulties registering, it doesn’t stop you from operating, as far as you are lawful. It is generally known that these associations are beneficial in various ways. They can help in effective collective bargaining, and are helpful in determining employees’ wages and benefits.
In Conclusion
The roles of employer organisations in South Africa are vast and numerous. They are helpful in regulating industrial relations, and they offer a powerful path for industries to engage government and legislative agencies on national policies that affect various sectors in the country.
These lawful formal groups of employers are created to defend, represent or advise affiliated employers. They also help their members in the area of growth and development, providing them with information on training, legal services and labour relations.
Finally, it is glaring that the essence of employers organisations is not only limited to the progress of the employer alone, since even the workers reap good benefits from their roles – both directly and indirectly. Workers can get good salaries via the the activities of employers organisations, and can also thrive in a conducive working environment.