Parliament to discuss Grooms today

The portfolio committees on Labour and Trade and Industry will have a joint meeting on Wednesday (13 June 2018) on matters involving horse groomers in the country.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Labour Mr Lemias Mashile said the meeting is the consequence of an investigation by the Department of Trade and Industry into the abuses of workers in the horse racing industry.

www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/com...-groomers-challenges

Hope we can put this issue to bed, alternative is many disruptions heading up to July

Words fail me when trying to describe this Govt. We have been there and done that a few years ago. IMHO, Govt failed dismally and embarrassingly when they discussed grooms wages and conditions with Operators instead of with the actual employers of the grooms.
Since those original Parliamentary hearings , many rules in racing have been added and many things have changed for the better of the grooms. These are still in place. Trainers are paying the wages as set out by Govt.

Now the EFF get involved and as is the norm nowadays, they get a reaction from Govt, who then suddenly make an issue, to save votes. The bottom line is that these grooms who are allegedly being underpaid have the following simple lines of recourse -
1) Go to Labour dept - Trainer will be fined and groom WILL get back pay.
2) Go to CCMA. Same result for groom as from Labour.
3)Tell a Stipe - immediate action will be taken and Trainer faces a huge fine and suspension.
4)Tell anyone from the Operator - the Trainer will be evicted and will not be allowed to Train from Operators premises.

So, now with all of the above having been communicated time and again to the grooms, do you really believe these allegations and do you really think that Parliament should waste their time, having done same a few years ago ? Or is this just more of EFF pulling Govt chains ?

At Vaal, the grooms quarters were inspected by DTI/ Govt about 3 years ago. All approved. What changed ? EFF . Thats what changed.

Louis as usual you are 110% correct. In my opinion the grooms are extremely well remunerated.
Not only do they get well paid but they get accomodation,lights,water and all services for free.
The shops on the property at summerveld are also well stocked and very reasonably priced.
That they dont look after their living quarters well is endemic of their lack of pride in their homes.
Most ordinary grooms cant write their names properly which is a huge problem with the schooling services in South Africa.Trainers give many grooms the opportunity to improve themselves and if you look at all the yards they have grooms who are registered with the NHRA as stable employees and Assistant trainers. I can now say all of this as i KNOW it 1st hand.