THABA NCHU -The Department of Employment and Labour’s blitz inspection in Thaba Nchu, led by Deputy Minister Mbongiseni “Jomo” Sibiya, uncovered continued disregard for basic employment conditions and non-compliance with labour and occupational health and safety legislation. He led a multi-disciplinary team including the Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration Unit and the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Wednesday 10 June, to enforce labour and immigration legislation and address workplace exploitation and criminality.

Sibiya expressed grave concern about employers’ repeated transgressions despite enforcement notices previously issued for similar offences. Repeat wage violations were discovered at Lesidi Aluminium CC in the Selosesha Industrial Park and Shop New Generation on Govan Mbeki Street. The inspection revealed Lesidi Aluminium CC’s failure to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), resulting in prohibition notices to prevent further worker exposure to dangerous conditions.

“We found a serious level of non-compliance; workers did not have the necessary PPE. The workers were underpaid, and compliance with occupational health and safety standards was nearly non-existent,” said Sibiya.

He took a hard line against Lesidi Aluminium CC for failing to pay 396 workers R23 443 348,82 in unpaid wages. “Despite a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) award in the workers’ favour, the employer failed to honour its obligations. The Department will proceed with the sheriff to attach assets and recover the money owed to workers,” said Sibiya. He said a compliance order will also be issued to enforce compliance.

Shop New Generation failed to comply with an earlier compliance order on Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributions and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) registration, and underpaid an employee by R16 200 between February and June this year.
Sibiya lamented workers being paid about R1 600 per month (R400 per week) in Thaba Nchu’s CBD.

“This is far below the national minimum wage and is unacceptable,” he said. The minimum wage for a standard 40-hour work week equates to about R5 239,46 per month, and for a 45-hour work week, about R5 894,40 per month.

Inspections at the Alarm Supermarket, Tiry’s Halaal Meats and Takeaways, Robot Furniture (Pty) Ltd, After 8 Salon, and Thaba Nchu Moon found gross violations, including failure to register for and contribute to the UIF and Compensation Fund, and the absence of employment contracts and payslips, contravening the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) legislation.