Thami Ntuli's urgent warning to KwaZulu-Natal businesses on undocumented workers
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli issued a strong warning to businesses not to hire undocumented workers who are in the country illegally during Operation Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla on Friday.
Ntuli was speaking during an unannounced raid on two companies, an accessories store and a clandestine bakery in Umbilo.
Ntuli, in his role as the executive authority for Community Safety and Liaison, said people were now showing confidence in the police and were tipping off government officials and police on possible criminal acts and labour law transgressions.
When the Department of Labour officials raided the accessories store, they discovered that 37 staff members were not registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
The store’s owner declined to speak to the media and did not wish to provide his name.
Labour officials had taken down the details of all the workers.
The owner was also warned by the government and given two weeks to comply with labour laws regarding the UIF. They were issued with compliance notices.
Ntuli said that police were conducting similar raids daily throughout the province.
A bakery was uncovered in a large building where biscuits were made. Here, Ntuli addressed staff about their rights as workers, adding that the conditions at the bakery were not hygienic or clean.
“I was informed by the police that the owner had fled from the bakery along with some employees. It means he knows that he was doing something wrong. Nine people were arrested for not having proper documents. From what we had seen, this was a massive operation that could be supplying the entire province,” Ntuli said.
He was also concerned about employees working long hours and being paid salaries that are below the minimum wage.
“We urge those living in the province and country to acquire the proper documentation. If this place is found not to follow procedure, the inspection team will decide whether to shut down operations here,” Ntuli said.
The warehouse did not have adequate signage on the exterior of the building, which was also a concern for government officials.
“We have so many people looking for a job. We urge owners not to flout the laws of the country. In the past, some owners were arrested. Situations like this unsettle people. Police are hard at work because of the leadership in the province,” Ntuli said.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za
