The Newcastle Clothing and Textile sector remains under intense scrutiny. This follows the Department of Employment and Labour stating that it is now losing patience with business owners and is, therefore, prepping to take action against those determined to flout South African labour laws.
This was highlighted at the IES (Inspection and Enforcement Session) Clothing and Textile Breakfast, organised by the Department in Durban North on Wednesday morning, 13 March 2024.
Addressing guests during the session, the Department of Employment and Labour’s Inspector General, Aggy Moiloa emphasised, “We have been very patient with the sector; no wonder we are still stuck.”
With this in mind and the Department facing a degree of frustration with the local Clothing and Textile sector, the Department explained that the objectives of the Breakfast Session were to:
- Raise awareness of the exploitation of vulnerable workers and to advocate for their rights.
- Address challenges faced by the sector in complying with the employment laws.
- Discuss corrective measures to enhance compliance with the labour legislation.
- Establish a collaborative platform for industry stakeholders to collectively combat non-compliance.
“Some of the challenges experienced in the sector include the caging of workers, employment of undocumented foreign nationals, using peculiar tactics to ward off inspectors such as keeping pit bulls, hiding workers, exposing workers to squalor conditions, companies amending their business status to Co-Ops to avoid being subjected to Employment Laws and many more,” said the Department.
Considering this, Moiloa reiterated the four pillars of decent work:
Promoting jobs and enterprise, guaranteeing rights at work, extending social protection, and promoting social dialogue. “We have the responsibility to change the face of the Clothing and Textile industry,” she said.
Industry players acknowledged the challenges presented by the Department and the Bargaining Council for Clothing and Textile. They called on the government to stop those who are flouting the law.
On the issue of the National Minimum Wage, employers stated during the session that pricing is determined by the retailers who commission the work. “Some retailers are taking their orders to other Southern African Development Community (SADC) such as Lesotho, Eswatini, and Malawi where their pricing is lower and they import the products into the country,” said one of the attendees.
Furthermore, the group unanimously agreed that further engagements are required with retailers who are critical role players in the value chain. Additionally, the Department explained that a focus group is to be created comprising of businesses, government, organised labour, and other industry stakeholders. Lastly, more multi-pronged inspections must be intensified, and feedback be provided within six months.
Continuing, this session follows on the steps of the Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi coming to Newcastle on 7 March 2024, where he and representative met with factory owners to discuss these issues.
To read more, click here.
As the Department now prepares to intensify steps to confront the problematic infringements in the Newcastle Clothing and Textile sector and the rest of South Africa, what are your thoughts?
Share your views in the comment section below.
