The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr Jomo Sibiya, and the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero, led a high-impact, multi-disciplinary blitz inspection in Gauteng on Friday, 28 August 2026. The Deputy Minister was accompanied by Inspector General Aggy Moiloa, together with officials from the Department of Employment and Labour and its partner institutions, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Home Affairs and the City of Johannesburg.

The joint operation formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance with South Africa's Employment and Immigrations Law, while promoting accountability across the construction sector. The participation of SAPS, Immigration Officers from the Department of Home Affairs and the City of Johannesburg reflected the importance of an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to addressing workplace and broader regulatory non-compliance.

A construction site was identified for this operation, and a total of 12 employers were found on site (one Principal Contractor and eleven Sub-contractors). At the time of the inspection, none of the subcontractors were present on site. The principal contractor subsequently arrived and was found to be compliant in respect of his own operations. However, significant non-compliance was identified among the subcontractors operating under the project, particularly in relation to Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), the Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), the Compensation of Occupational Injuries Dieses Act (COIDA) and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).

The Deputy Minister emphasised that the principal contractor has a responsibility to exercise proper oversight over subcontractors and to ensure that businesses operating under the project comply with labour legislation and employ workers who are properly documented.

“You have the responsibility to ensure that your subcontractors comply with the labour laws. The problem now sits with you because they are not on site and you are the one who has to answer on their behalf. They are throwing you under the bus, and unfortunately, the law has to take its course." Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya explained.

Serious occupational health and safety violations uncovered

The inspection found serious occupational health and safety violations. The report recorded 12 contravention notices and four prohibition notices. The prohibition notices related to unsafe scaffolding erected on unstable soil without adequate bracing or access ladders; inadequate edge protection for employees working at heights; unsafe support of beams and slabs on loose, uncompacted ground; and unsafe deep excavations without adequate access.

Further contraventions included failure to ensure that workers had valid medical certificates of fitness, failure to appoint competent construction management and health and safety personnel, inadequate fall-protection measures, failure to conduct required risk assessments and failures relating to ergonomic risk assessments and worker training.

Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA)and Compensation of Occupational Injuries Diseases Act non-compliances (COIDA).

The inspection further uncovered significant non-compliance relating to workers' social protection. Seven UIF compliance orders were issued for failures including the registration and declaration of employees. The report recorded 0% UIA compliance among the employers assessed. 

In relation to the COIDA, six compliance orders were issued for various contraventions, including failure to register with the Fund, failure to keep required records, failure to submit returns of earnings and failure to pay assessments due to the Fund.

Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA)violations

Inspectors also issued nine compliance orders relating to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the National Minimum Wage Act and related requirements. The identified contraventions included failure to provide written particulars of employment, failure to keep employment records, failure to provide information relating to remuneration, failure to pay the National Minimum Wage and failure to pay overtime.

Foreign Nationals on site

The multi-disciplinary operation also identified 66 foreign nationals, all reported as being without proper documentation. Of these three were found with fraudulent passports. One director was arrested during the operation. The involvement of SAPS and Immigration Officers enabled law-enforcement and immigration matters identified during the inspection to be addressed as part of the broader compliance operation.

Government strengthens joint compliance enforcement

The participation of the Department of Employment and Labour, SAPS, Department of Home Affairs and the City of Johannesburg highlighted the importance of a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to enforcing legislation and addressing non-compliance across the construction sector.

The Department will continue working with relevant government institutions to identify and address violations, protect workers and promote workplaces that comply with labour, occupational health and safety and social security requirements.

Employers are reminded of their responsibility to comply with all applicable legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, National Minimum Wage Act, Unemployment Insurance legislation and Compensation Fund requirements.

For media inquiries, please 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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