Workers accuse high-end restaurants of exploitation

Trade unions representing members in the restaurant industry have warned high-end establishments against allegedly exploiting their workers, saying their businesses will be disrupted until they play fair.

On Wednesday, the Food and Allied Workers Union and other unions visited Italian restaurant Lupa in Bedford Square and the Fahrenheit Grill in Edenvale.

They accused the outlets of not paying workers the minimum prescribed wage.

The establishments are also accused of not giving workers contracts, using the services of undocumented foreign nationals and overworking employees.

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The group said they will also be picketing at the Soul Souvaki in Bedfordview and the second store in Sandton that they also accused of similar offences.

One of the restaurant employees said that when she calls in sick, she is threatened with being fired and replaced with someone who is not sick

“Sometimes, when you give the store manager a sick note, it depends on the manager whether they pay or not, and South African laws don't allow that. If you are sick, it's beyond your control.”

She said the industry needs reform.

“I want to see them treating employees better because the employees are the ones making the business money, but they are treated the worst. If you have a complaint, it's used against you.”