Labour inspectors have left a North West employers’ bank account ‘itching’ when he was ordered to pay a sum of R20 000.00 as an admission of guilt for ignoring to obey their instructions.
The Reboni Furniture Factory employer in Mogwase just 51 kilometres from Rustenburg town, was initially requested to produce an electrical certificate of compliance for the electrical installation of the factory and provide workers with protective clothing as per Electrical Installation Regulation (IER) 7 (1) and General Safety Regulation (GSR) 2 (2) of Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.
Speaking on the air of victory, the Provincial Chief Director, Andile Makapela indicated that the employer was summoned to appear before the Mogwase magistrate court on the 26 May 2014. “that is when he realised that ignoring labour inspectors’ instructions is actually a criminal offence and he decided to settle the matter out of court,” Makapela said.
Makapela commended the work of the inspectorate and its increased visibility. He said the departments move to increase the number of inspectors in the country and to create specialisation was giving inspectors more muscles.
“Employers must just know that failure to obey, equals prosecution and that is that,” Makapela said.
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