Labour crackdown in Newcastle: Four employers arrested for violating South Africa's labour laws

In a concerted effort to enforce compliance with South Africa’s labour laws, the Department of Labour, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), Home Affairs, and local municipal agencies, executed a successful operation in Newcastle yesterday.

The operation focused on textile operations in the Emabhodini area, which led to the arrest of four employers and 158 illegal immigrants, underscoring the need for reform in the local textile industry.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Jomo Sibiya, outlined the rationale behind the inspection, which was to ensure that businesses adhere to the country’s standards and prioritise the employment of South Africans. “Our mission is clear, and we must hold employers accountable to their obligations,” Sibiya stated.

During the inspection, officials discovered that across all six companies investigated, none were compliant with basic labour regulations.

“Occupational health and safety standards were inadequate, and employees were not receiving their rightful compensation for overtime, holidays, or adhering to the minimum wage law,” said Sibiya. Four of the firms were shut down due to their failure to meet essential safety requirements, including poor electrical setups and inadequate ablution facilities.

“We cannot compromise on safety,” Sibiya stressed. “Labour rights are human rights, and our people deserve to work in environments that respect their dignity.” The labour crackdown by the department came in the wake of recent campaigns spearheaded by the Umkhonto WeSizwe Party (MKP) Labour Desk, which also advocates for the employment of South Africans over foreign nationals.

MKP’s labour representative, Calvin Gcabashe, commended the Department of Labour’s proactive measures, highlighting the importance of sustained action beyond a single initiative. “We need to ensure that these inspections evolve from one-off interventions to a comprehensive and ongoing strategy,” Gcabashe urged.

He noted that the MKP Labour Desk had played a crucial role in bringing such transgressions to light. “It’s imperative that the efforts to eradicate exploitation and uphold fair labour practices persist,” Gcabashe said, inviting the department to join their demonstration to highlight the same issues, which is planned for September 30, 2025, in Newcastle.

“We are ready to assist in any future initiatives aimed at ensuring the rights of workers are respected and upheld.”

Deputy Minister Sibiya reaffirmed that the department's mandate was to prioritise the employment of South African nationals, and that the skills possessed by many of the illegal workers involved were not rare or unique. “We must create job opportunities for our people first, which is our core mission,” he stated definitively.

DAILY NEWS