An ever increasing level of non-compliance with labour legislations on Wholesale and Retail sector and other legislations as well as criminal activities are about to be turned on their heads from now onwards, said the Department of Labour.
This emerged during the deliberations by stakeholders after the conclusion of a five-day joint operation in Polokwane (Limpopo) on Friday.
Edith Malungana, Head of Polokwane Labour office said “we focused on this sector because we have learned that it is one of the worst in terms of compliance with labour legislations. We will however stop at nothing to see an improvement in this regard. “
Malungana said they have also roped in stakeholders such as South African Police Service, Municipal Health Inspectors, Home Affairs and others because “the sector has fertile grounds for criminal and fraudulent activities.”
A representative from the South African Police Service (SAPS), who was part of the operation said “such operations must be repeated as often as possible as they are very helpful in uncovering underground criminal activities such as drug trafficking.
Meanwhile the Environmental Inspectors, from Polokwane Municipality, said during the operation they found shop owners sleeping inside their shops to save in accommodation costs and “this is in contravention with the municipal act.”
Malungana said the biggest challenge faced by the inspectorate in this sector is non-adherence to minimum wage as per the Sectoral Determination.
The current minimum wage for a General Assistant in a Supermarket stands at R 2006 per month as prescribed by the Sectoral Determination (9) of Wholesale and Retail Sector.
She said many shop owners were found to have fallen short of the minimum wage, with some paying as little as R 600 per month, R 1 400 less than the prescribed minimum wage.
Malungana said “in such instances we count the outstanding amount and look at duration at which the employee was employed and demand a ransom on the spot.”
The operation targeted much of Polokwane Central Business District, Mankweng, Botlokwa and Soekmekaar complexes respectively, with other areas to be targeted in due time.
Enquiries:
Johannes Mokou
Cell: 082 908 1833
