Restaurant Association of SA hits back at Labour Dept's crackdown on eateries

JOHANNESBURG - The Restaurant Association of South Africa has hit back at the Labour Department following its recent crackdown on eateries across the country.

The department launched a four-day, multi-agency operation in response to growing reports of worker exploitation in the hospitality sector.

The Labour Department, which has previously flagged the industry for non-compliance, said this latest action was part of ongoing efforts to tackle cheap labour and employee abuse.

During a raid at Babel, a restaurant in Pretoria, earlier this week, officials reiterated their concerns about mistreatment and unfair labour practices. 

This includes failing to pay the minimum wage and forcing workers to rely solely on tips and taxed commissions.

Speaking on 702 on Thursday, the Restaurant Association SA CEO, Wendy Alberts, said the department's approach lacked transparency.

"We can have commission waiters working in our industry, provided the commission is not less than the minimum wage.

"This was part of the bargaining council agreement, so I think that is one thing they missed. But the rest is all part and parcel of company law - tax, UIF [Unemployment Insurance Fund], PAYE [Pay As You Earn], Workers' Compensation, POPI [Protection of Personal Information] Act and all the others."