BusinessLive reports that Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) inspectors have uncovered a high level of noncompliance by employers with the health and safety regulations related to Covid-19.  

And, according to MPs, there is a danger of the situation worsening once the lockdown is eased and workers return to work.  The DEL’s 170 health and safety inspectors have conducted inspections of both private and public companies, most of them retail stores.  In the 11 days to 15 April, 45% of the 1,135 companies inspected were found to be noncompliant.  In some instances companies have been closed down because of their noncompliance and 617 contravention, improvement or prohibition notices have been issued.  DEL director-general Thobile Lamati told MPs that the department had received numerous complaints from workers who felt that their employers were not taking the Covid-19 issue seriously.  In some cases, employers were found to be in possession of false certificates to operate as essential services.  Also, several workplaces had not undertaken the necessary risk assessments and some companies had failed to implement best practice to prevent the virus spreading.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive
• Read too, Some employers over-claiming coronavirus UIF, says labour minister, at Fin24

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page