Chief Director for Statutory Services in the department, Fikiswa Mncanca addressed about 400 inspectors in East London on the state of readiness of the department to implement and enforce the NMW, which was recently signed into law.

"Shaming such employers will ensure they are recognized as people intent on defying the state. This will go on to ensure that they will not be able to do business with government," Mncanca said.

Mncanca made it clear to inspectors that sanctions for not complying with the NMW requires that the employer pay an amount equal to twice the value of the underpayment or twice the month wages, whichever is greater.

Department spokesperson, Teboho Thejane said: "The department is required in terms of section 76 (4) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) on a quarterly basis, to publish in its official website, all employers that were issued with compliance orders."

The NMW is the floor level below which no employee should be paid from January 1, 2019.

"The level is R20.00 per hour to implemented and enforced. NMW for farm and forestry worker is R18.00 per hour – domestic workers R15.00 per hour and for Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) is R11.00 per hour," Thejane said.

According to Mncanca, the NMW will be reviewed annually by the commission comprising labour, business and community appointment by the labour minister. A similar session is set to be held in Pretoria on Thursday.

African News Agency (ANA)