The Department of Labour’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch says it will\u00a0embark on a national blitz campaign in February to assess levels of compliance with labour laws – particularly the newly-introduced National Minimum Wage.<\/p>\n
The department said that 1,392 inspectors are ready to monitor compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act.<\/p>\n
According to the deputy director-general of the IES, Aggy Moiloa,\u00a0the department will be using its Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) specialist inspectors to enforce the act.<\/p>\n
The blitz campaign would focus on\u00a0advocacy, inspections and enforcement. The wholesale and retail sectors have been identified as problematic areas, and will be of particular focus.<\/p>\n
The National Minimum Wage came into effect on 1 January 2019. The wage is R20, the minimum rate at which workers should earn per hour, with a few exceptions.\u00a0Agricultural\/farm workers have a minimum set at R18 per hour, and domestic workers at R15 per hour.<\/p>\n
Moiloa said the department was aware of the burden imposed by NMW to the\u00a0Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration’s (CCMA) resources and was ready to assist.<\/p>\n
She said aggrieved workers on issues of NMW can take their complaints to the Department\u2019s Labour Centres, or directly report to the CCMA.<\/p>\n
The CCMA said that as of Friday (January 25) it has received 405 referrals on the newly-implemented NMW, contributing a 3.2% rise in its case load.<\/p>\n
As part of its readiness the labour department already had the following in place:<\/p>\n
Non-compliance<\/strong><\/p>\n Employers who are found to not be in compliance with the new laws will face penalties – specifically, a fine.<\/p>\n