More than 17,000 in inspections were and over R24 million enforcement notices were issued, according Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth during her 100 days address. Picture: Kopano Tlape/GCIS
The Minister of Department of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth has revealed that they conducted more than 17,000 inspections and have issued enforcement notices worth over R24 million.
Meth made the announcement during her address on the Department of Employment and Labour's first 100 days.
According to Meth, 17,662 national inspections were conducted and of these, 12,195 workplaces were compliant while 5,494 workplaces were found to be non-compliant, and were therefore enforcement notices were issued.
The total value of the notices was R24,266,758.
The inspections were conducted with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Transport, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Hawks, and the Bargaining Council of the Hospitality Sector.
The inspections has resulted in the 81 arrests of employers as well as undocumented immigrants.
“Our high-impact inspections and compliance raids targeted hospitality, road and freight, textile, car manufacturing, and farming sectors as these are high on non-compliance with the labour laws,” Meth said.
During these inspections, on-standard employment practices that render workers vulnerable were addressed and ensured job preservation with employees enjoying the protection of their rights, which in turn enhances productivity and economic growth.
In the first 100 days, the Department announced an increase in the budget for the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) from R400 million to R2.4 billion for the current financial year.
Meth said: “This significant boost aims to shelter companies in distress and prevent employee layoffs amid unstable economic conditions.”
“Our goal is to preserve jobs and support companies facing financial difficulties. Furthermore, increasing the scheme's capacity aims to reduce the risk of further retrenchments and support economic stability.”
Phase 3 of the “Follow the Money” project started in October 2024. The project aims to verify the payment of R65 billion that was made available as a temporary relief for employers/employees.
According to Meth, to date, the project has recovered R1.2 billion.
“Initially, the aim was to verify 50% of the amount paid, and now we want to verify the entire amount. Consequently, 27 audit firms have been appointed, and phase 3 commenced in October 2024.”
96 fraud cases were identified, 40 were presented to the court, and all were finalised and the highest conviction is 20 years of direct imprisonment.
Meth said that they were tackling unemployment head-on with the Public Employment Services (PES) achieving the following during the 100 days:
– 772,488 work seekers were registered on the ESSA system
– 52,511 work seekers were placed in registered work and learning opportunities through UIF-LAP
– 3,599 work seekers were placed in projects and learnerships
– 180,474 work seekers were provided with employment counselling.
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