Labour And Employment Dept. Arrests 81 Workers; Recovers Over R10M In Compliance Raids

The Department of Employment and Labour's recent inspections and raids led to the arrest of 81 workers without proper documentation and recovered over R10 million.

During a media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth shared details of these inspections and compliance raids.

The Western Cape had the most inspections, with a total of 809. Gauteng followed with 764 inspections, and KwaZulu-Natal had 535 inspections. There were also inspections in the North West (217), Eastern Cape (82), Free State (69), and Mpumalanga (59).

These joint inspections focused on important sectors and regions, especially in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal.

The operations checked if workplaces were following laws like the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, National Minimum Wage Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), and Employment Services Act to ensure fairness and protect workers.

Various problems were found including paying workers less than they should, illegal deductions from pay and unsafe working conditions.

"Our inspections have revealed instances of non-compliance, including underpayment of wages, unlawful deductions, and inadequate health and safety measures," she said, SA News reported. "To date, we have enforced monetary corrections totaling over R10 million, compelling employers to rectify these violations and honor their obligations to their employees."

She added, "Employers found in violation are issued compliance orders with clear deadlines for corrective action. In situations where immediate risks to health and safety are identified, Prohibition Notices are issued to halt hazardous activities until compliance is achieved."

To improve the employment standards in the country, Meth said that since she took office in July 2024, her department has increased inspections across the country to target employers who are not following the rules.

Working with the Department of Home Affairs, the Bargaining Council of the Hospitality Sector and law enforcement, these inspections aim to make sure workplaces follow important labor laws and protect workers' rights.

Meth showed concern over South Africa's unemployment rate, which is 33.5%, especially among young people. She noted that many undocumented foreign nationals are being employed, leading to worries about exploitation and bypassing legal hiring rules.

She said that her administration is dedicated to addressing these issues in a fair and caring way. They are working closely with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that employment practices follow immigration laws and that all workers, no matter where they come from, are treated with respect and fairness.