Labour inspections: Is the official official?

Workplace inspections by the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) have become more routine to ensure compliance with labour legislation.

- Hannes Latsky, training and compliance manager, LWO Employers Organisation

It is crucial for producers, in their role as employers, to understand how to identify labour inspectors and recognise their authority - not only to ensure compliance, but also to guard against fraudulent individuals posing as officials.

Earlier this year, the DoEL announced plans to recruit 20 000 new graduate interns nationally into its Inspection and Enforcement Service (IES) division over a two-year period. The recruitment process began in February this year with the first 10 000 interns. These interns are expected to support labour inspectors by assisting with the checking of wage payments, monitoring employment conditions, evaluating workplace safety, and performing other key inspection duties.

Labour inspectors are appointed in accordance with Section 63(1) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (Act 75 of 1997) or BCEA, as amended. They are empowered to monitor and enforce compliance with the BCEA as well as other key labour-related legislation:

• Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 (Act 130 of 1993), as amended.

• Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act 55 of 1998), as amended.

• National Minimum Wage Act, 2018 (Act 9 of 2018), as amended.

• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993), as amended.