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The Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth led a multidisciplinary inspection team in Gqeberha this past week.
The joint blitz campaign, which commenced on April 7, forms part of the Government of National Unity's (GNU) commitment to visiting provinces.
Minister Metch says the inspections underscore the department’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights, promoting occupational health and safety in the workplace, and ensuring compliance with labour legislation.
The department sought to test employers' compliance with various labour laws and register occupational health and safety incidents.
The blitz focused its inspections on the hospitality, agriculture, wholesale and retail sectors.
In this period, out of a total of 564 inspections conducted, 139 (23.97%) employers were found compliant, while a staggering 425 employers were found to be non-compliant and in contravention of various labour legislation, namely;
Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Employment Equity Act, Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act (COIDA).
From these transgressions, 125 Contravention notices and 300 Compliance Orders were issued to employers.
On 15 April, six joint inspections were conducted in Walmer, Humewood, and Summerstrand.
All the workplaces were found to be non–compliant with COIDA, OHS BCEA, and UIA, including non-compliance with the Liquor Act for failing to appoint a manager.
A total of R386,000 underpayment of the National Minimum Wage was enforced.
Minister Meth expressed disappointment at the reported low levels of compliance by some big business in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
“It is disappointing that some companies continue to flout labour laws. We conduct these inspections, not to catch you out, but to work with you to safeguard the rights of employees. We want to urge all businesses that are uncertain about their compliance status to reach out to the Department of Employment and Labour for assistance on how to be compliant with labour laws,” said Minister Meth.
