“We do not fight workers; we want employers to respect our laws”
These were the words of National Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, to factory workers during an inspection of the previously named Buy n Pay factory in the Industrial area on March 1.
The factory made it into headlines last year, following a factory fire in the Riverside Industrial area on June 24.
The fire resulted in the death of four female workers, who according to sources were trapped inside when the fire started.
Later, information would come to light, revealing that the workers were illegal Lesotho nationals who lived and worked in less-than-ideal conditions inside the factory.
See the previous articles:https://tinyurl.com/454hj3mt
Following the outcry, the Department of Labour launched its own investigation including the most recent inspection, which according to the department specifically targeted the same factory that has been rebuilt.
However, Teboho Thejane, Labour Department spokesperson, said the blitz inspection revealed a plethora of violations, including:
-The workspace lacked proper ventilation and had just one malfunctioning air conditioner.
-The workers were housed in the factory, sleeping in a single poorly ventilated room.
-Workers were locked inside the factory.
-Workers were paid less than the National Minimum Wage
– Lack of basic amenities such as soap and tissue in workers’ restrooms along and no eating area for the workers
Thejane said that “during his interaction with the workers, Minister Nxesi was surprised to hear that the workers do not even know the name of their company as three names were mentioned”
The Minister was surprised to discover some workers hid under heaps of clothing during the visit, as they feared arrest.
Following the company’s noncompliance a prohibition notice was issued which forbade workers from sleeping in the factory, as well as a contravention notice for failing to provide workers with an eating area, first aiders, an electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC), a Health and Safety Representative, adequate housekeeping, obstructing fire equipment and tissue paper and soap for hand washing in the restrooms.
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