Zululand security employers fail test
STORY: Ronelle Ramsamy
Nineteen out of 26 security employers in Zululand were fingered for non-compliance of labour laws when the Department of Labour conducted this year’s first blitz inspections in KZN. The inspections aim to raise the level of adherence to all labour laws, ranging from Occupational Health and Safety to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA). Preliminary reports show that of the 330 workplaces visited in the province, only 181 employers were found in compliance with labour laws. Some of the key violations included non-compliance regarding the minimum prescribed wages for the sector, payment of overtime, meal intervals, working hours and work on Sundays and public holidays. According to Labour Department spokesperson, Page Boikanyo, the inspections followed the declaration by Labour Minister, Membathisi Mdladlana, that ‘workers’ rights were human rights’ and they would stop at nothing to ensure compliance. Rigorous follow-up inspections have already being planned by labour centres throughout the province towards the end of this month. ‘This is to ensure employers adhere to the law or recommend cases for prosecution. ‘The applicable enforcement process will be strictly applied where necessary,’ said Boikanyo.
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