A recent inspection of two popular eateries in Menlyn, Pretoria, has uncovered severe non-compliance with South African labour laws. Babel Restaurant and Ocean Basket owe their workers a combined total of over R1.3 million in unpaid wages. The investigation, conducted by the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (the Hawks), the Department of Labour, Home Affairs, and the Bargaining Council, exposed various violations, including failure to pay the National Minimum Wage.
Babel Restaurant was found to owe its employees over R271,984 for cleaners and R295,547 for waitstaff. Workers were paid as little as R150 per shift, amounting to just R300 per week, significantly below the national minimum wage of R27.58 per hour. Additionally, employees worked up to 15-hour shifts daily, far exceeding the legal limit.
Ocean Basket was similarly non-compliant, owing employees over R813,969 in unpaid wages. Workers were paid only through tips and commissions, with no basic salary.
Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, applauded the operation, condemning the exploitation of vulnerable workers. She urged affected employees to report any unfair labour practices to their nearest Labour Centre for urgent attention.
The investigation also revealed that Babel was not registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or the Compensation Fund, and had failed to make contributions or submit salary declarations. Similarly, Ocean Basket was registered with UIF but failed to submit necessary declarations.
Three arrests were made during the inspection, including undocumented foreign nationals working at Babel and Ocean Basket.
For those facing similar workplace exploitation, the Ministry encourages them to report such issues for immediate resolution.
Source: IOL.
