House Chair, the ANC applauds the recent arrest of seven Chinese and Taiwanese nationals who were busted for operating a factory allegedly involved in the trafficking of illegal immigrants and subjecting them to forced labour in our country. These nationals were arrested on 12 November in a joint operation between the Department of Employment and Labour, the SA Police, SAPS, and the Hawks. At this company called Beautiful City Pty Ltd and located at Village Deep in Johannesburg, officials discovered that
minor children were employed at the factory and that the employer was violating labour legislation ranging from the National Minimum Wage, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. An audit by the department found that there were 91 workers employed at this factory.
The ANC is appalled that this employer has not only contravened the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act, but has also spat in the face of the vulnerable by disregarding section 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa that guarantees employees the right to social security. We are deeply angered and strongly condemn the abuse of these workers by these human traffickers. We call on the government to take drastic measures to deal with cheap labour and human trafficking. Thanks Chair.