Labour inspections ramped up to deal with non-compliance

By Akani Nkuna

Following a blitz on businesses across the country, the Employment and Labour Department has warned that it will continue with workplace inspections to ensure that they comply with laws.

Minister Nomakhosazana Meth told reporters on Tuesday that the department had intensified its efforts to ensure compliance.

It had been working with the Home Affairs Department, the Bargaining Council of the Hospitality Sector and law enforcement agencies.

Recent inspections uncovered a “disturbing pattern” of non-compliance, with employers failing to meet basic labour standards.

Key violations included the underpayment of wages, illegal deductions from employees’ salaries and a lack of adequate measures to ensure workplace health and safety.

The Western Cape topped the list with 809 inspections. There were 764 inspections in Gauteng, 535 in KwaZulu-Natal, 217 in the North West, 82 in the Eastern Cape, 69 in the Free State, and 59 in Mpumalanga.

“We approach enforcement with