More than 100 illegal immigrants arrested, businesses fined in labour blitz in KZN

More than 100 illegal immigrants were arrested, a stolen vehicle was recovered and businesses were cited for non-compliance with several laws during a week-long blitz in KwaZulu-Natal by the Department of Employment and Labour, Home Affairs and the police.

Representatives from the Municipal Enforcement Agency and the Bargaining Council were also part of the operation.

At one business, an employer was issued a contravention notice for under-declaring wages and failing to comply with the National Minimum Wage. The workers also received their full wages immediately.

On September 24 in eMabhodini in Newcastle, 158 illegal immigrants were detained with four employers cited for non-compliance with various legislations, and one stolen vehicle was recovered. 

Employment and Labour deputy minister Jomo Sibiya said the industrial area is known for its textile manufacturing, particularly clothing. 

“We inspected six companies, and we found that all six companies are not complying with all our laws. Whether you talk about Occupational Health and Safety, UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund), Compensation Fund, whether you talk about minimum wage or Basic Conditions of Employment Act, everything, they are not complying,” Sibiya said. 

He said employees are subjected to inadequate compensation, they were not issued with proper pay slips and were not paid the correct wages for holidays and Sunday work. Their pay also fell below minimum wage.

Sibiya said some individuals work from 7am to 5pm, taking a one-hour break before returning at 6pm to work until midnight. For this extended shift, they earn only R45 and are expected back at 7am the following day.

“It’s a vicious cycle. It’s abuse. It’s exploitation of the highest order. And we have arrested about more than 150 illegal immigrants just today. And also arrested about four employers because of their conduct in employing illegal foreign immigrants,” Sibiya said. 

“We have closed four companies and prohibited them because of their problems with electrical installations, ablution facilities, and many other unbecoming things that they are doing.” 

Sibiya highlighted that gas installations are not up to standard and pose a serious fire hazard. 

“We’re fighting. We’re going to fight no matter how difficult this is; we’re committed,” Sibiya said. 

“We are moving on, we are not tired, we are still going to work. We assure the South African people that this is our commitment, we want to clean the country, and the country must be better moving forward. These are the jobs that don’t need any skill that comes from outside South Africa.” 

At the start of the blitz, in the same area, the team visited eight companies, where they found high levels of non-compliance. 

“These companies are not complying with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. People don’t get leave here. People are not given pay slips, contracts, they work long hours, are not paid for holidays and are not paid for Sundays. So that is just abuse,” Sibiya said. 

Sibiya said gas installations and boilers were not certified and employees were not registered with the UIF and the Compensation Fund.