Madam and Sir restaurant is facing significant backlash from employees over unpaid salaries and alleged unfair dismissals. Picture: Madam and Sir Facebook
In a shocking turn of events, Madam and Sir, a popular restaurant located in Durban’s bustling Florida Road, is under scrutiny for allegedly failing to pay its workers salaries and for dismissing those who have bravely spoken out about these grievances.
The unfolding controversy has stirred both anger and concern within the local community, shining a spotlight on the treatment of restaurant staff, particularly in the midst of economically challenging times.
The disturbing claims came to light through a viral TikTok video posted by Sicelo Xaba, in which several ex-employees candidly shared their experiences of working at the restaurant.
In the 3-minute clip, Xaba confronts a former staff member, asked: “So you are not allowed to tell other people that you have not been paid? Now you are dismissed for enquiring about your salary?”
The response was disheartening: “Yes, that’s all they said to me. I wish there could be change happening. A lot is happening at Madam and Sir. We don’t have contracts, and we don’t get paid for overtime. When you enquire about it, they fire you.”
Another ex-employee added: “I’m currently being stopped from work because of the current situation that is going on at work. We haven’t been paid for the past two months.”
The emotional testimonies resonated deeply with the public, prompting others to share their own painful experiences.
One user, drumatic_97, revealed the severe personal consequences of delayed payments: “I used to work at Madam and Sir as a bartender and my salary was always delayed. I even got removed from my apartment. I did not have a place to sleep. I didn't know what to do besides going back home.”
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As voices of support for the affected workers amplify online, calls for boycotting Madam and Sir are gaining momentum.
One user urged locals, “People of Durban, let’s boycott the restaurant,” while another noted, “Where is this place so that we don’t go there?”
In response to mounting pressure, the restaurant issued a statement and disabled comments on its social media accounts.
The statement reads: “At Madam and Sir, it is business as usual as we continue to serve our customers with the integrity and excellence you have come to expect from us.
“Our journey would have not been possible without our dedicated team, whose hard work and commitment we deeply value.
“Upholding fair labour practices and empowering our employees have always been fundamental to our success, and we remain committed to creating meaningful employment opportunities that allow our people to thrive.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support of our valued customers and ask for your continued trust as we work to resolve this matter privately and professionally with guidance from our legal team.”
The latest controversy follows weeks after Mihlali Nobavu, a former waitress from the Babel restaurant, made headlines exposing exploitative practices rampant in the restaurant sector.
Her viral testimony detailed a work environment where she was hired without a formal contract, forced to pay for her own uniform, and denied a basic wage — earning only from tips, a reality echoed by the experiences shared by the workers from Madam and Sir.
Following Nobavu's revelations, the Department of Employment and Labour, along with the Department of Home Affairs, the Bargaining Council, and the police, conducted raids on several establishments to ensure compliance with labour laws.