Non-compliance implications of the decent work indicators within the Gauteng retail sector

Abstract

The compliance and enforcement of decent work indicators within the retail sector cannot be avoided. The purpose of this research was to investigate the level of non-compliance within the retail sector in the Johannesburg North region of Gauteng Province, against the indicators as advocated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and as one of the mandates of the African National Congress provincial and national administration. The study was conducted through the quantitative and qualitative research methodology approach. Questionnaires, in-depth interviews and documentary analysis were undertaken to answer the research questions. The findings of the study indicate that the decent work deficit is prevalent within the retail sector, because of a lack of enforcement of government policies relating to labour laws. The study concludes that the implementation of decent work indicators by the employers was not adequately complied with because of the market-oriented economy which gives rise to labour market flexibility prescriptions. The study recommends that the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) should develop and institutionalise tailor-made decent work policy indicators for the retail sector that will inform operationalisation, enforcement and compliance.