SA’s strict labour laws ‘need to be reviewed’ following recent raids

Authorities recently conducted compliance raids, mostly on restaurants, following allegations of exploitation and violation of the country’s labour laws at popular Menlyn-based eatery Babel, east of Pretoria.

The inspection teams consisted of officials from the Employment and Labour Department, Home Affairs, the bargaining council, and the police, and they aimed to root out non-compliance with the country's labour and immigration laws.

According to the department, while 1,941 foreign nationals were found working at the more than 2,600 establishments visited, only 81 undocumented nationals were arrested during the four-day raids.

“We do need to carefully revisit our labour regulations and the handbrake it places on employers. This does not excuse the employers who are unfortunately happy to just break the law,” said Bagraim. 

While lauding the nationwide labour compliance blitz targeting the hospitality sector, Bagraim warned that more inspectors would be needed to continue the campaign. 

“It doesn't help to have fancy labour laws if we can’t enforce them. The reality is we do not have enough inspectors, they are not properly capacitated, they are not properly trained, and over and above this, they do not have motor vehicles and laptops.” 

Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said her department will introduce risk-based profiling to maximise the effectiveness of the inspections, which will allow officials to prioritise audits and inspections based on identified risks and to address high-priority non-compliance.

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