Raids at Babel Restaurant and Ocean Basket in Menlyn, Pretoria, were part of a coordinated operation by the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (the Hawks), Home Affairs, the Department of Labor, and representatives from the Bargaining Council.
During the operation, which happened on a recent Sunday night, it was discovered that both businesses had collectively violated the National Minimum Wage Act by failing to pay their employees almost R1.3 million in salaries.
It was discovered that Babel Restaurant, which is renowned for its fine dining experience, owed its employees over R567,531, with cleaners and waiters/waitresses being the most negatively impacted.
According to the inquiry, servers were mostly compensated through commissions and tips; some made as little as R150 each shift, which is significantly less than the R27.58 per hour minimum wage that will apply in 2024 and 25.
In addition, workers were required to perform 12- to 15-hour shifts, which was against the Basic Conditions of Employment Act’s requirements for rest days and weekly breaks.
Similar circumstances existed at Ocean Basket, where employees were paid mostly in commissions and gratuities and the restaurant owed them R813,969.
Under Minister Nomakhosazana Meth, the Ministry of Employment and Labour denounced the actions, emphasizing the mistreatment of weaker employees.
Meth declared, “Worker exploitation by employers will not be tolerated in any sector,” and he urged workers who were subjected to unfair labor practices to file a report at the closest Labour Center.
Three people were arrested as a result of the investigation; these included two unauthorized foreign nationals who were employed by Babel and one at Ocean Basket. These arrests highlight more widespread problems with adherence to immigration and employment regulations.
This restriction comes in response to public uproar, especially following the popular TikTok video of a former Babel waitress detailing the exploitative conditions, in which she revealed that staff members had to pay for their own clothes and equipment.
The film prompted a wider discussion on labor rights in the hospitality industry in addition to drawing attention to the predicament of these workers.
The Ministry’s statement also showed a systematic disrespect for workers’ rights at both enterprises by exposing non-compliance with other labor rules, such as the Unemployment Insurance Act and Compensation Fund standards.
This episode serves as a clear reminder of the ongoing fight against wage theft and labor law violations in South Africa, as the community and labor rights advocates mobilize for tougher enforcement and improved circumstances.
There have been requests for more stringent inspections and sanctions for non-compliance throughout the industry, and the cases of Babel Restaurant and Ocean Basket may just be the tip of the iceberg.
For the time being, the government has promised to take prompt action against such transgressions, thus legal proceedings and the recovery of unpaid salaries are under progress.
This incident emphasizes how important it is to maintain ongoing watchfulness and support for workers’ rights in South Africa’s thriving service sector.
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