Department of Trade says industrial zones must not be ‘havens’ for illegal practices after Newcastle factory blitz

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) has called for more collaboration among enforcement authorities following alarming findings of hazardous conditions in Newcastle clothing factories. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has called for closer collaboration betweenenforcement authorities, mandated to monitor labour law compliance and workplace health and safety, after worrying conditions were uncovered during arecent inspection at Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal clothing factories. The factories were found to be subjecting their workers to hazardous working and living conditions, where they were living in cramped conditions and were earning far below the minimum wage.

Some employers were also arrested during the jointinter-departmental inspection blitzforabusing immigration laws by hiring 34 illegal foreigners who were working in South Africa without valid documents. Clothing from the factories was found to be destined for major retailers in the country. Responding to the issue, the dtic said investigations by the relevant enforcement authorities are ongoing, and it is appropriate that these processes be allowed to proceed without interference.

However the department said thematter raises broader systemic questions about supply-chain accountability, responsible sourcing, and the integrity of South Africa’s clothing and textile value chain. matter raises broader systemic questions about supply-chain accountability, responsible sourcing, and the integrity of South Africa’s clothing and textile value chain. “It has also served as a reminder that economic growth driven through sustainable industrial development requires lawful conduct and shared responsibility across the entire production and procurement ecosystem.

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South Africa cannot grow its manufacturing base on the back of unsafe and illegal operations. Factories that evade labour standards distort competition, undermine compliant businesses, and expose vulnerable workers to unacceptable conditions.”

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