By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, says her department is set to employ close to 20 000 labour inspectors to clamp down on non-compliance and illegal labour practices.
Meth was updating the public on the department’s joint blitz inspections and compliance raids in recent weeks.
The minister said since she assumed office in July, her department has intensified efforts to ensure adherence to employment laws across all nine provinces through high-impact blitz inspections in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, the Bargaining Council of the Hospitality Sector, and law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service and the Hawks.
“The scale and scope of these inspections demonstrate our commitment to upholding labour standards nationwide. The Western Cape led with the highest number of inspections, totalling 809.
“Gauteng followed with 764 inspections, and KwaZulu-Natal with 535. Inspections were also carried out in the North West with 217, Eastern Cape 82, Free State 69, and Mpumalanga with 59, “she said.
Meth said their inspections have revealed instances of non-compliance, including underpayment of wages, unlawful deductions, and inadequate health and safety measures.
She said that to date, they’ve enforced monetary corrections totalling over R10 million, compelling employers to rectify these violations and honour their obligations to their employees.
Meth emphasised that the department approaches enforcement with a balance of firmness and fairness.
“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, “she said.
The minister revealed their future plans to expand the Department of Labour’s inspectorate capacity from 2 000 to 20 000 inspectors over the next three years.
She said this will enhance the department’s ability to conduct more frequent and thorough inspections across the country.
“To maximise the effectiveness of our inspections, we will implement a risk profiling system. This approach will allow us to prioritise audits and inspections based on identified risks, thereby improving our capacity to address high-priority non-compliance areas more efficiently,” she said.