Your rights as a temporary worker

When an agency such as Go2Work places you at a client's workplace, the agency is your employer. You have the same basic rights as any other employee in South Africa.

Your contract and pay

• Written details of your job. You must get written particulars of employment, including your pay, hours, leave and notice period.
• A payslip every pay day, showing your pay, hours and deductions.
• At least the national minimum wage, or the minimum set for your sector if that's higher.
• No fees. An agency may not charge you for finding you work.

Hours and leave

• Overtime must be agreed and paid at the overtime rate.
• Annual leave of at least 21 consecutive days a year, or by agreement one day for every 17 days worked.
• Sick leave. In your first six months, one paid sick day for every 26 days worked. After that, a full sick leave cycle applies.
• Family responsibility and maternity leave as the Basic Conditions of Employment Act sets out, once you qualify.

UIF and injury on duty

• Your employer must register you for Unemployment Insurance (UIF) and pay contributions, so you can claim if your work ends, or for maternity or illness.
• You're covered by COIDA if you're injured at work or get sick because of your work. Report any injury straight away.

After three months

If you earn below the earnings threshold set under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and your placement lasts longer than three months, you're treated as the client's employee for the purposes of the Labour Relations Act, unless an exception applies, such as covering for someone who's on leave. From then on, you must be treated no less favourably than the client's own employees doing the same or similar work.

Safety at work

You must get a safety induction and any protective equipment the job needs, free of charge. You may refuse work that puts you in serious, immediate danger and report it.

If something goes wrong

1. Raise it with your Go2Work contact first. We'll take it up with the client.
2. If it isn't resolved, you can refer a dispute to the CCMA, which is free.
3. For questions about pay and conditions, you can contact the Department of Employment and Labour.