“This is a historic and long-fought-for victory for workers, parents, children and families across SA,” said Cosatu parliamentary co-ordinator Matthew Parks on Monday.
“This is now an act of parliament, assented to by the president and promulgated. It is not a matter of negotiations or concessions by employers. It is law.
“Employers are asked to embrace the progressive spirit of the law. Those who seek to behave like rogue neanderthals will be treated accordingly - named and shamed, taken to the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] and labour courts - and forced to abandon their backwardness.”
Parks explained that in terms of the law, workers will be entitled to claim payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) should their employers refuse to pay them their full salary for the leave period. The UIF will pay those workers 66% of their salary - up to an earnings cap of R205,433.30 a year, as laid down in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.