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The Mercury reports that a labour inspection blitz in Mandeni in northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has led to the arrest of two employers and 47 illegal foreign nationals. The large-scale operation also resulted in the closure of a clothing and textile factory.
It was carried out by the Department of Employment and Labour (DOL) in collaboration with Home Affairs and the police. The operation was led by DOL Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya and Mandeni mayor Thabani Mdlalose, and was held after allegations were received about labour exploitation in local factories. The DOL said the inspection aimed to measure compliance with various legislative frameworks, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), the National Minimum Wages Act.
During the inspection, two factories were visited. One of them was served with a prohibition notice for several infractions, including hiring illegal immigrants, paying workers as little as R12 to R17 per hour – well below the mandated National Minimum Wage of R28.79 – and failing to comply with health and safety standards. In a shocking discovery, a 14-year-old minor was found on site. At the other factory, inspectors discovered non-compliance with registration for the COIDA and the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Both factories were flagged for their poor adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Mercury
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