Pretoria - The Department of Labour closed down a company for non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and issued several warnings to other businesses during an inspection operation in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
The department issued 24 businesses with written warnings for contravening the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, including underpaying workers. A total of 24 illegal immigrants were arrested at the firms.
The department in conjunction with the police, immigration officials, traffic cops and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) conducted a joint-inspection aimed at clamping down on companies not complying with labour laws and illegal business operations.
Gauteng Department of Labour spokesperson, Mishack Magakwe, said the notices of non-compliance that were issued will be followed up on. "We will continue to enforce labour legislation," he said.
According to the department, in some instances, employees were working without any contracts, pay slips or attendance registers and were being underpaid.
"Some of the employees were not registered with the UIF and the compensation fund while the Occupational Health and Safety Act was found to be non-existent." Magakwe said, adding that employers were given 21 days to correct matters.
"They were issued with written undertakings to comply with or risk being dragged to court," he said.
The department said more joint inspections with SAPS, Home Affairs, SARS and Metro Police in the province could be expected.
