"One-Day Casual Labor in South Africa: A Step-by-Step Guide to Legal Compliance"
Scenario: An employer, John, picked up three casual laborers from the side of the road to assist with some construction work at his farm for the day. These workers were hired on a verbal agreement and paid in cash. No formal documentation was signed, and they weren’t registered as employees. The laborers were not given any induction or training related to safety protocols, nor were they provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats or safety harnesses, even though they were working at heights. While one of the laborers, Peter, was standing on a ladder painting the upper part of a building, the ladder slipped, causing him to fall and break his arm and leg. There was no first-aid kit on-site, and no formal procedure to handle such accidents. Employer's Responsibilities: Induction and Safety Training: The employer has a legal obligation to provide all employees, including casual laborers, with an induction before starting work. This inductio...