South Africa’s Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, says her department is intensifying efforts to enforce labour laws among foreign-owned businesses as part of a broader push to protect local workers and strengthen regulatory compliance in the country’s business environment.
Meth disclosed this in a parliamentary response to uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) MP Nokwethemba Mtshweni, who queried the government’s response to what she described as “non-compliance by Pakistani and Chinese-owned businesses.”
Mtshweni also raised concerns about the employment of undocumented foreign workers, particularly in the trucking and logistics sectors, where some are allegedly paid below the national minimum wage.
Meth said her department has adopted a tougher enforcement posture, working closely with the Department of Home Affairs to clamp down on violations of both labour and immigration laws.
“The Department of Employment and Labour continues to monitor compliance levels through inspections and has embarked on High Impact integrated Blitz Inspections to deal with stores owned by the Chinese and Pakistanis that do not comply with labour and employment laws,” Meth said.
“Where non-compliance is detected, various enforcement notices are issued. Where there would still be non-compliance after notices had expired, such workplaces are referred for prosecution.” she added.
She added that authorities are also targeting employers who exploit undocumented foreign nationals by paying wages below the legal threshold.
Regulation, BRICS politics and wider African concerns
The renewed enforcement drive comes as South Africa seeks to project stronger regulatory credibility at a time of heightened geopolitical pressure. Pretoria is navigating strained trade relations with the United States while deepening ties within BRICS, a bloc that includes China and India, both major investors in South Africa’s economy.
Beyond South Africa, Chinese firms have faced allegations across parts of Africa over illegal mining operations and opaque business networks.
For South Africa, Meth’s comments signal a clear message: foreign investment will be welcomed, but only within the bounds of the country’s labour and employment laws as it seeks to balance economic openness with worker protection.
