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In the runup towards the Department of Employment and Labour along with the Overstrand Municipality's upcoming Jobs and Careers Fair scheduled for the 19 and 20 February at Hermanus, Western Cape Province, the department's “Taking Services to the People campaign" is in full swing in the area.

The Inspections and Enforcement teams visited several workplaces in the Hermanus, Gansbaai and Standford areas. According to Fezeka Ngalo, the Acting Provincial Chief Inspector, the teams conducted 99 inspections in sectors such as Finance, Hospitality, Iron & Steel, Wholesale & Retail and Manufacturing.

According to Ngalo, they experience much of non-compliance taking place with the Occupational Health and Safety Act where it stands at 73 per cent whereas with Basic Conditions of Employment Act it stands at 16 per cent.

“We issued contravention notices to employers who failed to produce risk assessment documents, inventory of asbestos containing material, no trained first aiders, facilities such as eating area and lockers not provided for employees, employees not provided with personal protective equipment, electrical and gas installations not certified, equipment not serviced, and no training provided for employees on handling snakes as their workplace is infested with snakes," Ngalo said.

Ngalo said when it comes to Basic Conditions of Employment Act, it was found that some of the employers were not paying the national minimum wage and were also not paying employees rates for work done on Sundays and Public holidays. She said they also failed to provide employees' contracts and payslips.

So far, the campaign has touched base with communities from Zwelihle (Hermanus), Eluxolweni (Pearly Beach) and Baardskeerderbos.

During the campaign a total of 874 people were assisted and of these 734 were registered as workseekers in the department's Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) system as well as receiving career counselling, and 164 were assisted with their Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) enquiries as well as applications. Eight of the latter, had their applications processed and paid instantly. Resulting in their payments being effected today.

The Department will continue providing the following services:

•         Public Employment Services - designed to register, match and counsel work seekers,

•         Unemployment Insurance Fund – to process unemployment insurance claims,

•         Compensation Fund – to process compensation for occupational injuries and diseases claims, and

•         Inspection and Enforcement Services – conduct compliance with labour legislation.

Those who want to be assisted with Unemployment Insurance Fund claims as well as Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act must bring along their identification and relevant documents and as for workseekers, they are encouraged to bring along their curriculum vitae and identity documents.

The build-up campaign concludes today, 18 February 2026 and from tomorrow the Department in partnership with the Overstrand Municipality will start off with a breakfast session with employers, trade unions, and invited guests as well as the Jobs and Careers' Fairs. The details are as follows:

Employers' Session

Date: 19 February 2026

Time: 08:00 to 12:30

Venue: Overstrand Municipal Auditorium, 2 Magnolia Avenue.

Jobs and Careers Fairs

Dates: 19 to 20 February 2026

Time: 08:00 to 16:00

Venue: Mount Pleasant Sportsground

For media RSVP's contact Masede Mosima at: 082 887 3966 / Masede.Mosima@labour.gov.za

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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