Labour dept to fine employers R10k for hiring undocumented foreign nationals

The Employment and Labour Department says it will fine employers R10,000 for every undocumented foreign national hired.

Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya led inspections at two construction sites in Ekurhuleni on Friday, which were found to be non-compliant with labour laws and basic conditions of employment acts.

During the operation, more than 100 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested.

Sibiya said the unemployment rate in the country is concerningly high, and this is partly due to the hiring and exploitation of undocumented foreign nationals.

He said the department will make available thousands more inspectors to conduct work in various sectors to ensure compliance.

Speaking at a construction site in Tembisa, he told workers that these operations were also to educate them on their rights.

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"Workers in this company, do they give you leave, do you get pay slips, do you have contracts, the hours that you work, are you paid overtime if you work overtime, are you paid on Sunday? "

He promised tough action against employers found to be breaking the law

"Each and every illegal foreign immigrant that we find, I believe in gauteng its R10, 000 per illegal foreign national."

Sibiya said the department will build cases against repeat offenders to be prosecuted.