logo
WC women farmworkers call for Labour Dept to enforce laws on commercial farms

WC women farmworkers call for Labour Dept to enforce laws on commercial farms

Eyewitness News13-05-2025
CAPE TOWN - Women farmworkers from various parts of the Western Cape are calling on the Department of Employment and Labour to enforce labour laws on commercial farms in the province.
They took their grievances to the department's doorsteps on Tuesday in the Cape Town CBD.
They're accusing the department of ignoring their complaints of labour rights violations by farm owners.
A group of women seasonal farmworkers under the banner of Women on Farms Project are demanding the enforcement of all labour laws, including the National Minimum Wage Act.
Handing over a memorandum of grievances on Tuesday afternoon, spokesperson Daniel Samuel said they also wanted the department to issue fines and penalties to non-compliant farms.
"We demand a meeting with provincial staff, the inspectorate, heads of labour centres from Worcester, De Doorns, Ceres, Paarl, and Somerset West, including Dr Bax, who is heading the Compensation Fund by no later than 6 June 2025."
They're also demanding the fast-tracking of UIF applications, especially those of women seasonal farmworkers.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Six found guilty in Compensation Fund payment scam
Six found guilty in Compensation Fund payment scam

The Citizen

time16-07-2025

  • The Citizen

Six found guilty in Compensation Fund payment scam

Six fraudsters confessed to rerouting Compensation Fund payments to personal bank accounts through fake medical providers. A group known as the 'Capitec Group' has pleaded guilty to assisting a scam that involved redirecting payments from the Compensation Fund (CF) into personal bank accounts. 'Capitec Group' has no affiliation with Capitec Bank South Africa. The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has found six accused guilty of contravening Section 5 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), Act 121 of 1998, for assisting another person to benefit from the proceeds of unlawful activities. The six accused, Phumzile Ivy Ngubane (48), Thuleleni Joyce Ngubane (44), Delisile Constance Ngubane (62), Busisiwe Brenda Masango (43), Gunther Nsibande (51) and Nhlanhla Mkhabela, pleaded guilty on Tuesday. 'Capitec Group' redirected Compensation Fund payouts into their accounts The accused, dubbed the 'Capitec Group', were part of what is believed to be a syndicate that embezzled funds from the CF. The Compensation Fund is a public entity under the administration of the Department of Labour. The CF offers cover for workers who sustain injuries and/or contract illnesses at work. ALSO READ: Gauteng's 'debt collector' move against the RAF and Compensation Fund 'The syndicate made misrepresentations to the Compensation Fund, which gave rise to the fund making payments to entities purporting to be medical aid providers supposedly to the benefit of legitimate claimants,' Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said. As a result, the fund deposited money into the bank accounts of the medical service providers, using the bank account details recorded in the fund's system. Investigations further revealed that the suspects owned the bank accounts used to receive the payments and that these medical service providers were not registered in accordance with the regulations. Sentencing in November The matter has been postponed to 3 November 2025 for sentencing. This is not the first time criminals have defrauded the fund by altering the personal details of claimants and redirecting payments to assumed accounts. ALSO READ: Labour department to temporary shut-down ROE online system: Here are the affected services In December 2018, three former CF employees—Maxwell Ramaphosa, Samuel Mfeleng, and Kgabo Johanna Methi—were sentenced for defrauding the fund of R476 150. Ramaphosa and Mfeleng received 12-year sentences, while Methi got six years. The trio, who colluded with physiotherapist Dr Jones Modau to create fictitious claims, were convicted of fraud and money laundering.

Why sentencing was postponed for Chinese nationals convicted of human trafficking in SA
Why sentencing was postponed for Chinese nationals convicted of human trafficking in SA

IOL News

time27-06-2025

  • IOL News

Why sentencing was postponed for Chinese nationals convicted of human trafficking in SA

The trial against seven Chinese nationals charged with human trafficking and child labour is expected to resume on July 4. Image: File The Department of Employment and Labour has confirmed that sentencing proceedings in the high-profile trial of seven Chinese nationals convicted of human trafficking and child labour have been postponed to next week. The matter was due to proceed at the Gauteng South Division Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday, June 26, 2025. However, the Court was informed that pre-sentencing reports had not yet been officially submitted. According to the Department, Advocate Valencia Dube informed the Court that all the accused were allocated probation officers to prepare pre-sentencing reports. While all the accused were visited by social services, their reports were not yet ready for submission. The convicted individuals, Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen Hui, Qin Li, Jiaqing Zhou, Ma Biao, Dai Junying, and Zhang Zhilian, were found guilty on February 25, 2025, of 160 counts. These included human trafficking, aiding and benefiting from trafficking, keeping persons in bondage, and a wide range of labour law violations. The convictions followed a joint operation in November 2019 at Beautiful City Pty Ltd, a textile factory based in Village Deep, Johannesburg. The operation was conducted by the Department's Inspection and Enforcement Services branch, the SAPS/Hawks, and the Department of Home Affairs, following a tip-off. The raid uncovered illegal immigrants, some of them minors, who were working in locked factory conditions. 'The seven were found guilty of violating South Africa's labour laws by not registering with the Compensation Fund and declaring their operations; failure to keep records of their earnings; failure to submit their return on earnings; failure to pay and declare assessments; failure to maintain a safe workplace; failure to report incidents; failure to register and declare with the Unemployment Insurance Fund Commissioner; failure to inform the Commissioner on Unemployment Insurance changes.' Departmental spokesperson Teboho Thejane said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'In addition, they were found guilty of human trafficking, aiding/facilitating human trafficking, bondage, benefiting from victims of human trafficking, and assisting illegal immigrants to remain in South Africa.' A new legal twist emerged during proceedings when defence Counsel J. Kruger, who had represented the accused since 2019, announced that his mandate had been terminated. 'Defence Counsel J. Kruger regretted to tell the Court that his mandate has been terminated,' Thejane said. The accused are now expected to be represented by Goodgall Attorneys. Six of the seven convicted individuals remain in custody. Only accused number six, Dai Junying, has been released on medical grounds. The case is provisionally scheduled to return to court on July 4, 2025, for submission and review of the pre-sentencing reports. IOL News

UIF tightens oversight after fraud attempts delay employability stipends
UIF tightens oversight after fraud attempts delay employability stipends

IOL News

time21-06-2025

  • IOL News

UIF tightens oversight after fraud attempts delay employability stipends

The Department of Employment and Labour. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which administers the LAP, said a recent review identified weaknesses in administrative processes that had created opportunities for fraudulent claims. Image: Leon Lestrade/ Independent Newspapers Payments of stipends to participants in South Africa's Labour Activation Programme (LAP) have been delayed due to attempted fraud by some partnering companies, the Department of Employment and Labour said on Friday. The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which administers the LAP, said a recent review identified weaknesses in administrative processes that had created opportunities for fraudulent claims. In response, the UIF is intensifying scrutiny of invoices and attendance records submitted by programme partners to safeguard public funds and restore payment timelines. 'We are strengthening internal controls and verifying records more rigorously to improve accuracy and efficiency,' the UIF said in a statement. As part of its corrective measures, the UIF has begun implementing a new electronic system to streamline stipend payments and has hired short-term contractors to assist with the processing of outstanding invoices. Internal capacity has also been reallocated to support the administration of the programme. While the exact scale of the attempted fraud has not been disclosed, the department confirmed that discrepancies are being investigated and legal action will be pursued against companies found to have submitted false information. Jacky Molisane, acting Director-General of the Department of Employment and Labour, assured participants that sufficient funds are available to cover stipends for the current financial year. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'We want to reassure all beneficiaries that payments will be made, but only in line with proper procedures. We are committed to protecting the integrity of the programme,' Molisane said. She cautioned beneficiaries against resorting to disruptive behaviour, including vandalism and violence, in response to payment delays, warning that such actions could jeopardise their participation in the programme and future employment prospects. 'The Labour Activation Programme must remain impartial and free from undue influence. Any attempt to circumvent procedures, including enrolling ineligible individuals, will be dealt with in line with the law and existing agreements,' Molisane said. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store