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Johannesburg - Labour inspectors have been given more power to enforce the law, a labour department official said in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
"The department of labour has taken the gloves off by strengthening and sharpening the powers of inspectors in enforcing the law," chief director of labour relations Thembinkosi Mkalipi said during public consultations on proposed labour law amendments.
There would also be tougher penalties for any labour law violations.
Gauteng labour spokesperson Sekhothali Lerotholi said inspectors would no longer give employers time to rectify mistakes if they were found breaking the labour law. They would be penalised immediately.
"Why do we need to give them time to fix mistakes? We must penalise them on the spot and not give them time. Sometimes employers are given three months to fix a problem. Why?"
She said labour legislation had yet to be amended to include these new powers.
Amendments to some labour laws were published in December. These included the regulation of contract work and labour broking.
The public hearings were considering amendments to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Employment Equity Act, the Labour Relations Act and the employment services bill.
An employment services bill would also be published at the same time as the amendments.
The hearings are being held across the country, and proposed amendments will be tabled for discussion at the National Economic Development and Labour Council. The closing date for public comments is February 17.
