Be aware of bogus inspectors

The Department of Employment and Labour has warned the public about several bogus incidents. Criminals have been impersonating labour Inspectors and Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) officials. These individuals have been swindling money from unsuspecting employers.

In a statement, the department said that deceptive individuals posing as labour inspectors visit workplaces to conduct illegal inspections and then issue inspection reports and contravention notices to employers.

The department said that these individuals force employers to pay a fine of R500 or face the consequences.

“The department emphasises that none of the services provided by its inspectors requires payment to them or their bank accounts. Some procedures must be followed after labour inspectors discover non-compliance with labour laws, and an immediate spot fine is not one of them.

“After labour inspectors discover non-compliance with labour laws, the procedure that must be followed includes a different approach to different situations and legislation,” the department said.

Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) – Non-Compliance, labour inspectors issue a compliance order requiring the employer to comply within 14 days. Suppose the employer fails to comply within 14 days, the inspector will issue a confirmatory notice informing them that they could not comply with the requirement of the compliance order. The matter will be referred to statutory services for enforcement.