Question NW845 to the Minister of Labour
17 May 2016 - NW845
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Labour
(a) what action has she taken to re-open the Central Johannesburg Labour Centre since it was close 18 months ago, as the members of the public still arrive every hour to assisted at the specified office, (b) when will the specified office be re-opened , (c) what is delaying the re-opening of the specified office, (d) what is the closest office to the specified office where members of the public can get assistance and (e) why is this not publicised on (i) her department’s website and (ii) a notice on the door of the closed office?
Reply:
a) The current building has been condemned by the Johannesburg Emergency Services in July 2015, and all tenants had to vacate the building.
The Department of Labour is engaging with the Department of Public Works on procuring alternative accommodation. The Department of Public Works has identified land on which a building could be erected for the Johannesburg Labour Centre.
We are aware that this will take some time and we are engaging the Department of Public Works to identify suitable alternative premises that could be used in the interim. The request for alternative premises was sent to the Department of Public Works on 2 November 2015.
b) At this stage we do not have a date for re-opening of the office because alternative accommodation has not been identified. We will also first have to bring such accommodation up to standard and provide necessary infrastructure.
c) The office was due to re-open in June 2015, but unfortunately a fire broke out in the basement of the building which resulted in the closure and condemning of the entire building by the Johannesburg Emergency Services.
d) Closest offices are as following;
- Germiston Labour Centre situated at Number 141 Victoria Street.
- Alberton Labour Centre situated at Number 89 Voortrekker Street.
- Soweto Labour Centre situated at Number 2 Khumalo Stret
- Roodepoort Labour Centre situated at Number 125 Albertina Sisulu Road, Technikon .
- Randburg Labour Centre situated at corner Oak and Hill Streets.
- Sandton Labour Centre situated at Number 424 9th Street, Marlboro.
e) Notices were placed on the doors of the Johannesburg Labour Centre office, but normally removed by unknown persons. We have communicated through the media and also respond to all media enquires on the matter.