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The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, and the Acting Director General, Mr. Viwe Mlenzana embarked on high impact blitz inspections and taking services on wheels to the people, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan and Kouga Local Municipality from 25 to 26 September 2024.

The programme kicked off with a political briefing with the Executive Mayor, Cllr Gary van Niekerk, the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe and MMCs, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, and was also supported by the Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Cllr Deon de Vos.

An inter-governmental, multi-stakeholder team led by the Department of Employment and Labour, comprised of Departments such as Transport, Home Affairs, Human Settlements, Public Works and Infrastructure, Department of Higher Education and Training, Department of Basic Education, Correctional Service, Wholesale & Retail SETA and SEDA, provided services on the spot, including Financial institutions such as ABSA and First National Bank. The Independent Electoral Commission were also part of the programme. 

The three-day programme was preceded by build-up activities, which started from the 16 to 20 September 2024, focusing on inspections in the Agriculture and Forestry, Construction, Funeral Undertakers, Domestic, Wholesale and Retail, Hospitality, Iron and Steel, Private Security and Chemicals sectors.

A total of 346 compliance inspections were carried out in this period, together with the Department of Home Affairs.

Out of the 346 inspections undertaken, 231 were found to be compliant, while 50 contravention notices and 56 compliance orders, and two prohibition notices were issued. Seven undocumented foreign nationals were arrested together with their employer, by law enforcement agencies.

Compliance orders are issued when there is non-compliance in terms of the basic conditions of employment, Compensation of Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), National Minimum Wage (NMW) and Unemployment Insurance Act (UIA), which are valid for 14 days.

A contravention notice is when there is non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. A follow up is made after the expiry of the contravention to check compliance. Businesses are required to rectify the contraventions within a minimum of 60 days.

In an event where conditions are hazardous to members of the public and employees, a prohibition notice is issued to prohibit the use of the establishment. This stands until the employer corrects and informs the inspector of the correction.

Failure to comply with the notices and order, may result in the department preparing legal documents for prosecution to the non-compliant companies.

Some of the findings of the contravention of the OHS Act were that certificate of compliance to electrical installation were not presented, non-provision of PPE, non-compliance to health and safety standards, as well as the non-safeguarding of machines such as non-exposure of sharp objects and blades.

The Department works closely with businesses to assist them to meet the requirements for compliance. It is important for the employers to self-regulate towards compliance of all the labour laws. This is done through follow up visits and providing guidance through the legal frameworks, on how to be compliant.

The Department also embarked on Road and Freight Road blocks with the Department of Transport and Home Affairs, wherein 56 vehicles were stopped, including 12 trucks. Two compliance orders, as well as two contravention notices were issued to truck drivers.

The Minister's visit in the Province included a community engagement session at the Lilian Ngoyi Community Centre in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha. The Department provided registration of unemployed work-seekers, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and compensation Fund (CF) claims and enquires/complaints, attending to Labour complaints related to National Minimum Wage and other basic conditions services.

A total of 1226 clients were serviced, while 950 people registered for the Employment Services South Africa (ESSA) database, for assistance with employment opportunities in the labour Market.

A total of R224 506.10 was paid out to Unemployment Insurance Fund clients, while 21 Ex-mine workers assisted.

The Minister also visited the Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE), one of the Department's entity that primarily employs persons with disabilities.

In an effort to address the persistent socio-economic challenges of the region, Minister Meth hosted a business dinner on Thursday, 26 September 2024, with 70 stakeholders from numerous business sectors in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. The session provided an opportunity for the Minister to articulate the department's priorities through outputs that drive the mandate of the Department and its entities.

“Taking services to the people is our top priority. It is the start of the great work that we will do for the next five years. We will work in partnership with the private and public sector, as well as the relevant sister departments to inform and empower, inspect and enforce our laws.

Through our Operation Yazini, we will ensure that there is adequate education about our services and skills development," says Minister Meth.

For Media enquiries contact:

Thobeka Magcai

Media Liaison Officer (Ministry)

0727372205/ thobeka.magcai@labour.gov.za

 For more information:

Ms. Ziphozihle Klaas- Josefu  

Provincial Communication Officer

Department of Employment and Labour: Eastern Cape

082 308 6306/ Ziphozihle.josefu@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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