test and enforce compliance
16 August 2007
Inspectors have swooped a whopping 391 workplaces throughout KwaZulu-Natal
employing 6 886 employees during its hospitality blitz inspections.
The final inspection report today reveals that the majority of employers
inspected (78%) were found to be complying with the minimum wage provisions
except for a total of 87 (22%) employers who were underpaying their workers.
Inspectors will therefore continue with their routine and unannounced
inspections at workplaces as an ongoing activity that will form part of their
weekly inspection plans.
Other provisions of the Sectoral Determination for the Hospitality Sector
that were contravened include the failure to provide written contracts of
employment, non-payment of night shift allowance, payment of the premium rate
for Sunday and public holidays worked, deductions for uniforms; commission and
tips regarded as payment of wages.
Employers located in the Umhlanga and Westville areas were found to be
paying the highest wages for certain categories of employees. In smaller towns
such as Vryheid, Paulpietersburg and Kokstad a huge number of employers did not
comply.
Hotels were generally found to be more compliant as compared to bed and
breakfast establishments, guest farms, restaurants and food outlets which
appeared to be struggling to comply.
Eleven employers were found to be not registered with the Compensation
Fund.
Follow up inspections will be conducted to check whether written
undertakings secured during the inspections are adhered to. If employers are
still found not to be complying, they will be issued with compliance orders
ordering them to comply within 21 days. Should they fail to, their cases will
then be referred to the Labour Court for a judgement.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
E-mail: zolisa.sigabi@labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
16 August 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)
