20 September 2006
The Durban Labour Court today (Wednesday) reserved judgment and postponed
hearing in two separate cases against Newcastle-based textile firms charged
with flouting provisions of Employment Equity Act.
The two companies, Jinghua Garments and Wincool Industrial were appearing
for the second time after their respective cases were postponed in April this
year. The two could be fined up to R500 000 each if found guilty of failing to
comply with Sections 20 and 21 of the equity law which require employers to
display the law on their notice boards, and oblige them to send their equity
plans to the department respectively.
Presiding Judge Themba Sangoni today reserved judgement against Jinghua
Garments to an as yet to be announced date, after the company's attorneys
pleaded for a lesser fine, while the Department's lawyers were arguing for much
tougher punishment.
The case against Wincool Industrial, on the other hand, has been postponed
to 6 February next year for further hearings.
The Department of Labour today reiterated its anticipation that the two
would be the first to be successfully prosecuted under the country's equity
legislation, a move that could send a strong warning to other would-be law
violators.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
20 September 2006
