The Department of Employment and Labour’s commitment to increase the number of labour inspectors bodes well for the Constitution’s provision that everyone has the right to fair labour practices.
On Tuesday, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth announced that her department would increase the number of labour inspectors from 2 000 to 20 000 over the next three years to enhance their ability to conduct thorough audits and inspections across the country.
The announcement was made after weeks of compliance enforcement raids in restaurants across the country.
The inspections, the department said, revealed instances of non-compliance, including underpayment of wages, unlawful deductions and inadequate health and safety measures.
A staggering R10 million in monetary corrections were enforced on non-compliant employers and compliance orders and prohibition notices were also issued.
Now, the inspections will be extended to the trucking and logistics sector, which is mired in claims of employment of undocumented illegal immigrants.
Compliance with the country’s labour laws is important not only for the workers but also benefits the economy as well as creating a stable labour environment.
The tragedy in George earlier this year in which many people died – mostly illegal foreigners – is a stark reminder of the need for enforcement of the labour laws.
As Cosatu correctly put it, increasing the number of labour inspectors to ensure employers comply with our labour laws will reduce the number of cases overwhelming the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
However, it is one thing to make a commitment and another to fulfill the promise. It remains to be seen whether Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will come to the party when he delivers his Medium-term Budget Policy Statement next month.
Time will tell if the promise of 20000 more labour inspectors was playing to the gallery as opposed to genuinely committing to improving the working conditions and the lives of workers.
Cape Times