Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth has disclosed that R6.08 million
Image: acebook/ Department of Employment and Labour
Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth has revealed that R6.08 million has been claimed from six textile companies in Newcastle, following a series of labour inspections that uncovered widespread non-compliance with the country's employment laws.
Last month, the Department found that several factories in Newcastle had employed undocumented foreign nationals and were in breach of labour and occupational health and safety laws, including unsafe working conditions and non-compliant facilities.
Responding to a parliamentary question from uMkhonto we Sizwe MP LD Selepe, Meth said the department had already conducted enforcement actions.
"The Department conducted a strategic advocacy session on the 10 March 2026 with the Chinese employers in the Textile Industry in New Castle to advocate for employment laws, and subsequently will implement its interventions from April 2026 to promote and improve sustainable compliance," Meth said.
She added that inspectors visited six employers, all of whom were found non-compliant and issued enforcement notices, with claims amounting to just over R6 million.
"Recently, 6 employers were visited and were found non-compliant with all employment laws and were issued with enforcement notices. A total of R6 080 751 was claimed from the 6 companies. All enforcement notices, except on OHSA, have expired, and the Department is referring them to CCMA".
IOL previously reported that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTIC) said South African manufacturing cannot grow on the back of unsafe and illegal operations.
"South Africa cannot grow its manufacturing base on the back of unsafe and illegal operations. Factories that evade labour standards distort competition, undermine compliant businesses, and expose vulnerable workers to unacceptable conditions," the department said.
"The objectives of the Retail Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather Masterplan are grounded in the principle that industrial growth must occur within a sound governance framework of decent work, lawful business activity, and formalisation of the value chain."
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL Business