DRAMATIC scenes unfolded in Durban central on Wednesday when labour inspectors, immigration officials, eThekwini Municipality inspectors, metro police and officials from the provincial Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs raided unsuspecting businesses.
Shockingly, at the first supermarket in Durban Central, it was discovered that the store had expired baby food on the shelves; electrical items on sale were not certified by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) for safety.
The electrical items included two-plate stoves, lamps, heaters and electrical bulbs. It was also found that the store was selling radios and amplifiers that were not certified by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The inspection team will report its findings to ICASA and NRCS for urgent action. The store was also fined R1 000 by the eThekwini Municipality for not having a business license to sell food.
Meanwhile, labour inspectors established that the employer had contravened the Employment Equity Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Specialist Inspector: Employment Standards, Abey Rasepae, from the Department of Labour, explained that the employer had no employment equity forum to ensure transformation in the workplace. He said the employment equity plan that was presented by the employer was not being implemented and he would be recommending prosecution – which carries a maximum fine of R1.5-million.
Labour inspectors also discovered “serious” underpayment for the general assistant workers in terms of the sectoral determination for the wholesale and retail sector. They found that workers had not received an increase in the last five years; they worked overtime and did not receive remuneration; employees also worked 7 days a week without any rest.
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The employment contracts of the workers did not stipulate any leave or lunch periods, as required. Labour inspectors would soon serve notices on the employer to ensure compliance.
In the second supermarket store in Joe Slovo (Field) Street curious consumers were horrified when the inspection team found insects in spices on the shelves; the store was riddled with rat and cockroach droppings and certain sections in the store were full of dust.The two stores will be monitored closely by the inspection team and follow ups will be done soon.
The joint inspection was conducted by the Integrated Compliance and Regulatory Forum (ICOREF) – a joint structure that includes various law enforcement agencies which was formed in August 2016. The structure be will continue inspections in KwaZulu-Natal.
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