Twenty-nine foreign nationals have been arrested during a multidisciplinary labour inspection in Hammarsdale, west of Durban.
Among those arrested were a Chinese factory owner and her husband, who were allegedly working while in South Africa on visitor visas.
The operation was led by Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya and involved the South African Police Service, Home Affairs Immigration officials, and the Durban Metro Police.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to enforce labour laws and identify undocumented workers.
Sibiya says the Hammarsdale industrial area was specifically targeted due to widespread violations of employment laws and regulations.
He adds that at least 14 of those arrested were unable to produce passports, while others were found to be in possession of visitor visas.
“In some factories, we have been told that workers are now on night shift and illegal foreigners are working there. Some factories managed to remove their employees before we arrived. The two factories in question, what we have picked up, is that almost all our labour laws are not respected, are not adhered to and immigration laws are also not complied with. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act is not complied with. Workers don’t get salary slips, they are not paid at a minimum wage level and they don’t get leave.”
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