Labour department gives in on ‘amnesty’ for Chinese-owned clothing factories
Confirms it has no authority to grant a grace period or amnesty.
The Department of Employment and Labour has conceded that it has no authority to grant amnesty to Chinese-owned clothing factories in violation of labour laws. The National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry had filed urgent court proceedings in Durban after the factories refused access to its inspectors.
The council claimed that 31 factories (known as the G31) were exempt from complying with the council's collective agreement, but this was contradicted by the department's lawyers. Judge Edwin Tlhotlhalemaje ruled that the department had no right to interfere with the council's work and that the pilot project did not permit granting exemptions.
The G31 group refused to accept the order and the matter was adjourned. The council aims to enforce compliance with the main collective agreement and prevent a culture of impunity within the clothing manufacturing industry.
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