Ep 7: An Inspector Calls: Welcome to 2026, the Year of Compliance

In this episode, we unpack the role of the labour inspector and the growing emphasis on compliance with basic conditions of employment and occupational health and safety standards. We examine recent developments such as case law (https://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZALCJ...) as well as within the Department of Employment and Labour, including the work of the Inspection and Enforcement Services branch, the scale of inspections conducted in the past year, and the capacity challenges facing the inspectorate. A central focus of the discussion is the rise of inspection blitzes (https://www.labour.gov.za/we-are-not-...) towards the end of 2025. We explore what these blitzes are targeting, their dual focus on labour law and immigration compliance, and the sectors most affected. We reflect on the real gains achieved through blitzes including the exposure of unsafe workplaces and serious exploitation while also interrogating their limits, particularly the challenge of sustained compliance once inspectors leave.