Cape Town – Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosaza Meth, has reportedly clarified that recent inspections of restaurants and hospitality businesses were not specifically targeting foreign nationals.
According to The Citizen, speaking at the ANC’s National Executive Committee meeting, Meth said that while foreign workers were often encountered during inspections, they were not the primary focus.
“When we go to those establishments in terms of hospitality or any other industry, we are not focusing on or hunting the foreign nationals. But we find them there,” the report quoted the minister as saying.
She said that there was no issue with employing foreign nationals, as South Africa had regulations allowing them to work legally.
Problems arose, she said, when individuals on visitor or student visas violated the terms of their permits by working.
The inspections aimed to ensure compliance with labour and immigration laws, including adherence to minimum wage and UIF contributions, she said.
Early this month the the minister said: “Our inspections have revealed instances of non-compliance, including underpayment of wages, unlawful deductions, and inadequate health and safety measures.
The Department of Labour has collected over R10 million from employers during its compliance inpection and raids in the few past weeks. Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth says the crackdown is on non-compliance and establishments underpaying their employees. She… pic.twitter.com/e0Wv3z4vJM
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 1, 2024
“To date, we have enforced monetary corrections totalling over R10 million, compelling employers to rectify these violations and honour their obligations to their employees.”
Meth took over the ministry of employment and labour in July 2024 and has embarked on nationwide collaborative efforts and inspections nationwide.
[Watch live] Minister Nomakhosazana Meth briefs media on inspections and compliance raids in South Africa https://t.co/qOc1rbR0Yy
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) October 1, 2024
The department has intensified efforts to ensure that all sectors adhere to employment laws through these inspections, and has worked alongside the Department of Home Affairs, Bargaining Council of the Hospitality Sector, as well as the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Hawks, SA Gov News reported.
“The scale and scope of these inspections demonstrate our commitment to upholding labour standards nationwide,” Meth said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
