The Employer Audit unit of the Department of Employment and Labour embarked on a two-day blitz inspection focusing on compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (UICA) and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries & Diseases Act (COIDA) around the Brits area.

These blitz inspections were targeting the Retail and Wholesale sector in the area and they revealed that of the 71 outlets visited, most employers were not compliant with the labour laws. During these inspections, three undertaking notices and 20 compliance orders were issued. The areas of noncompliance were on Sec 56 of UIA (submission of declarations to the Fund) , Sec 82 of COIDA ( non-submission of returns of earning)  and sec 86 of the same Act for  non-payment of assessment.

The Provincial Chief Inspector, Boikie Mampuru, said this was part of the commitment that the province made during the handover of tools of trade to inspectors which was held in the area in August 2019. “We made a commitment last year that the Department will remain visible and active to ensure that employers comply with the labour laws as expected", said Mampuru.

Employers are encouraged to not be threatened by inspections, but, rather see them as a method that the Department uses to help them understand the labour laws so that they can be compliant.

Follow-up inspections will be conducted in the near future to determine and establish if those found to be non-compliant have addressed all contraventions.

These inspections were part of the service delivery campaign led by Compensation Fund unit in the province which saw a comprehensive package of services rendered by the Department being taken to the people around Brits and Tlokweng village. These services included amongst others, registration and processing of claims for COID and the UI, registration of unemployed persons on the Employment System of South Africa (ESSA) database for possible future placement on available opportunities and information sharing as well as registration and resolution of complains by Inspection and Enforcement Services.

For enquiries:

Botsang Huma

Provincial Communication Officer

Department of Employment & Labour: North West

082 497 7438

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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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