The Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) in the Western Cape will embark on week-long mega blitz inspections targeting the hospitality sector.
The mega blitz, which begins on Monday, comes amid rising anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa.
Political parties and others have accused the hospitality industry of employing foreign nationals as cheap labour much to the detriment of locals, who are struggling to get jobs.
Announcing the planned blitz on Thursday, the IES said the mega blitz inspections involving the department of home affairs and the police will begin in the Metropole, Cape Winelands, and Overberg regions.
The IES said the department of home affairs and police will ensure that all institutions like hotels, bed and breakfast facilities, restaurants, and backpackers are fully inspected.
“We are changing how we do things by informing employers prior on the necessary documents that we need when we arrive,” said Provincial Chief inspector David Esau.
“With this approach, employers have no reason to tell us they did not prepare the necessary papers for us.
“We are leaving no gaps for excuses. Books that are in order should be able to save both the employer and the inspector time to do the necessary inspection.”
The inspectorate will be testing compliance on the National Minimum Wage Act; Occupational Health and Safety Act; Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Unemployment Insurance Act, and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act.
Not only will inspectors be testing compliance and addressing non-compliance but, the mega blitz will also serve to advise, educate and provide technical information and support to both workers and employers about the services offered by the inspectorate.
The records inspectors will be expecting employers to produce include the attendance register (last two months), signed employment contracts/letter of appointments of an employee, information about remuneration (payslips/envelopes), overtime, leave pay (Last 2 months), Unemployment Insurance, registration number, and proof of last payments.
The IES will also be wanting to see documents relating to the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act registration number as well as proof of last payments, a copy of the CIPRO certificate and a list containing the names and ID numbers of all employees.
“Many businesses are up and running now following the impact that covid-19 had particularly on the hospitality industry,” said Esau.
“While we support the economic recovery, we also don’t want workers to be exploited.
“It’s imperative that we get on the ground to evaluate if conditions of work are still adhered to.”
Esau said, considering the impact that Covid-19 has had on the sector in the last two years, it’s important to reinforce compliance with labour laws.
The inspection blitz would ensure that employers still uphold the basic conditions in the workplace while also maintaining the health and safety of workers at all times.
