Firms face shutdown, prosecution

Johannesburg - Labour inspectors shut down a business in Mabopane, north-west of Pretoria on Tuesday for  non-compliance of electrical installation, the department of labour said.

This was part of the department's on-going inspections to enforce compliance with all labour legislation, spokesperson Mishack Magakwe said in a statement.

The meat and chicken company's electricity distribution board was not covered and its freezers could not be opened from inside, he said.

"The business operators are not allowed to work in that section until they have fixed the problems and have a certificate from a registered electrician. Only then will the department revoke the notice," said Magakwe.

Workers were sent home, but were assured by inspectors that they would be paid in full by their employer. If they were not, they could  contact the department, he said.

Magakwe said a number of non-compliance notices had been issued to various businesses, forcing employers to correct wrongs within 60 days or to face prosecution.

The department was focusing on the forestry and agricultural sectors in Gauteng this week.

Magakwe said other areas of focus would include wages and other conditions of employment.

"Where there are problems, they will bring those to the attention of employers and give them time to correct," he said.

- Sapa