Pretoria - The Department of Labour has embarked on a drive to review wages and conditions of employment in the troubled and volatile taxi industry.
The move follows public hearings in Polokwane held on Monday which were attended by stakeholders from government, employers and workers.
Titus Mtsweni, Acting Director of Employment Standards at the department, said the series of public hearings was aimed at understanding the thinking of industry stakeholders.
"This will be followed by escalating the feedback to the Employment Conditions Commission. The body advices Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant on wages and other conditions of employment in various sectors," he added.
Mtsweni said the drivers should get a R250 boarding allowance or be provided with accommodation when on long trips to avoid the danger of being robbed.
The taxi industry employs more than 130 000 employees and accounts for transportation of 65% of commuters daily.
The current minimum wage for drivers stand at R2 449 while Queue Marshals take home R1 959 per month.
Next week, the departmental team will make its way to Richards Bay and Durban to continue with the public hearings. - SAnews.gov.za
