Department swoops on defiant employers
The companies were visited for allegedly violating the Conditions of Employment and Occupational and Safety Act.
THE MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has warned that her department is moving with speed in processing hundreds of complaints from workers across the province about employers contravening the nationwide lockdown regulations.
She made the comments after unannounced visits to various companies across the City investigating the violation of the Conditions of Employment; and Occupational and Safety Act.
Officials also visited a call centre in uMhlanga on Monday afternoon however Dube-Ncube did not comment specifically on that case.
Read also: Transport rules amended to accommodate social grant payments
“It is disturbing to learn about workers who are forced to work in groups of more than 300 in unhygienic conditions. This is despite the fact that they are not performing essential services as stipulated by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. We have received complaints against companies that are alleged to have issued fraudulent permits to works. On the other hand there are companies that are alleged to have obtained permits after giving false information.
“Consequently, some workers are forced to work in contravention of the national disaster provisions as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. We have also received reports of workers who have been arrested for failing to comply with guidelines outlined by the national government. Once again I wish to reiterate our position as the department. We will never turn a blind eye to these injustices,” she said.
On Sunday, 14 employees were rescued after being locked in a factory in Glen Anil. According to Dube-Ncube, the employees were forced to manufacture hundreds of masks to meet the demand caused by the outbreak of coronavirus.
In other news: City of Durban inundated with requests for lockdown exemption
It is understood the workers have now been paid their salaries they were promised.
“At this stage we wish to allow the Department of Employment and Labour to continue with their investigation in relation to the violation of the Conditions of Employment; and Occupational and Safety Act.”
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532. 
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
