Issued by the Department of Labour
29 November 2001
The Department of Labour learnt with disbelief, dismay and revulsion last night about the death of twins recently whose mother went into labour at a Durban factory where she, together with other workers, had been locked in for the whole night.
According to the report, this incident happened last week Friday evening when a factory worker went into labour and gave birth to twins at the Durban factory at which she works. This report alleges that the owner of the factory locks in the workers from 5pm to 5am.
"I have issued out an instruction for an inspection to be undertaken at this factory and to be provided with a full report on this matter. Should the feedback I receive indicate that indeed the report the Department received is true and that Occupational Health and Safety regulations - and any other Labour Laws for that matter - have been contravened, the full might of the law should take its course and the perpetrator or perpetrators should be brought to account" the Department of Labour's Director-General, Adv Rams Ramashia said.
The Department came to know about this tragedy when a journalist called the Department last night to inquire about the incident.
"The Department is grateful to the media for bringing to our attention people who treat our countrymen and women and our children as sub-humans, flouting the laws of our country with impunity. The media, workers and community have, as in this case, a very important role to play in exposing such people," Adv Ramashia said.
The police are also investigating the matter.
Inquiries
Mr Eddie Mohoebi - Executive Manager: Communication
083 680 4331