Inspector General, Aggy Moiloa has urged community members in and around the Matzikama Municipality to exercise their right to being heard and bring to light non-compliance cases from their places of work. Moiloa made these comments during the community engagement session that took place at the Vredendal North Sports Field on 16 March 2024 in the Western Cape.

The community engagement was held in order to deliver a report on the two-weeks long inspection drive by the Department of Employment and Labour's inspectors in the area. Areas inspected are Bitterfontein, Doring Bay, Ebenhaezer, Elands Bay, Klawer, Koekenaap, Lambertsbay, Lutzville, Molsvlei, Nuwerus, Rietpoort, Stofkraal, Van Rhynsdorp, and Vredendal. 

Employers were found to be in gross contravention to labour legislation, which Moiloa condemned in the strongest possible terms. The Inspector General expressed that the non-compliance reported has long lasting effects on workers' economic, and ultimately, psychological wellbeing.

Reports revealed that of all the labour legislations inspected, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act was found to be the most disregarded. Of the 182 inspection conducted, 77% of the businesses were found to be non-complaint.

In total, 472 businesses were inspected in various sectors including the chemical, farming, construction, domestic, finance, hospitality, iron & steel, manufacturing, security, as well as the wholesale & retail sector.

Other labour laws inspected are the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA) and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act (UICA), as well as the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

Through the Inspectorate and Enforcement Directorate, the Department has issued compliance orders to the non-complying employers with an expectation for the contraventions to be addressed within a period of 14 days, and in some cases 30 days.

Inspector General Moiloa closed the session with a strong message that there is no room for corrupt Inspectors in the Department, who at the expense of the vulnerable workers, take bribes from employers in order to turn a blind eye to their unscrupulous labour practices.

For media inquiries, kindly contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/Teboho.Thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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