Employers told to put their houses in order or face prosecution

20 April 2010

Despite the existence of a law stipulating the conditions of employment for wholesale and retail workers in the country, results of the latest labour inspections of the sector suggest a large number of employers are still disregarding the legislation.

Figures released by the Labour Department in the Free State this week show that of the 451 workplaces inspected during the week long scrutiny, only 336 employers were found to be complying, while 115 transgress the law.

During the blitz, inspectors found employers to be flouting the law and underpaying workers resulting in countless undertakings issued to employers for not complying to minimum wages, no contracts of employment, not issuing of pay slips to workers and no payment of overtime as well as not keeping attendance registers, no registrations with Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

Contraventions and improvement notices were also issued to employers found not complying with the general regulations of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) while operations had to be halted in one workplace in Bloemfontein and the employer issued with prohibition notice on the usage of all electrical operated machinery in the bakery, kitchen and butchery.

Workers were also prohibited from entering and working in the cold rooms and refrigerators and from operating and handling bakery equipments without being provided with suitable Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and safe working procedures are put in place.

Defaulters issued with notices were instructed to put their houses in order or face prosecution.

Enquiries:
Wisane Mavasa
Tel: 051 505 6284
Cell: 082 806 1351
E-mail: wisane.m@labour.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Labour
20 April 2010