There have been recent incidents of con artists posing as inspectors from the Department of Labour. These ‘inspectors’ moved around the Free State and targeted farmers specifically.
Selling labour law posters
The con artists’ modus operandi was selling labour law posters, in some instances threatening and intimidating farmers into buying the posters.
In an interview with IOL, Nomfundo Douw-Jack, Head of the Department of Labour in the Free state, made it clear that “…under no circumstances will the Department of Labour sell labour law posters to employers. In fact, any employer can download this information from the Department of Labour website free of charge.”
Not the first time this has happened
Unfortunately, this is not the first time unsuspecting employers are taken in by bogus labour inspectors.
In 2016, at least two instances of individuals masquerading as legitimate officials were reported.
Farmers were also the targets in the first case, where illegal inspections were carried out, and illegal inspection reports and contravention notices issued.
In the second incident, a KwaZulu-Natal employer contacted the Department to report a suspicious man who claimed to be an inspector.
The suspect requested monies to be transferred to his account after conducting impromptu inspections at the employer’s company.
Words of advice from the Department of Labour
To avoid becoming a victim of a con artist posing as a Department of Labour inspector, the Department strongly urge that you know and keep the following in mind:
• A legitimate Department of Labour inspector always their identity card, which bears their details and a photo, and the card is produced prior to the inspection.
• Criminals are clever, so if you ever think an identity card is fake, you can contact your nearest labour centre to verify any inspectors.
• Never deposit money into anybody’s personal bank account, even if it is a legitimate labour official, or agree to do certain favours for the person conducting the inspection in exchange for a more favourable inspection outcome.
Think you’ve been a victim?
In the event that you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a con artist, please call the Department of Labour’s Fraud Hotline on 08600 22 194. Alternatively, send an email to fraud@labour.gov.za