The Labour Laws Enforcement (LLE) group confronted a man, presumed to be the owner of a Shell gas station in Overport. The confrontation took place on Wednesday amid allegations of hiring undocumented foreign nationals and non-compliance with South African labor laws.
A widely circulated video from LLE shows the group approaching the man, stating, 'We will stop you.' He responded, 'You won't stop me,' adding, 'Stop shouting at me.' Tension escalated as members of the crowd approached the man, shouting insults and accusing him of employing foreigners.
One participant was heard saying, 'You are hiring foreigners. Do you think you are above the law?' The man retorted, 'I am not afraid of anyone,' after which the video ended.
The national representative of LLE, Mtobisi Singa, stated that this action is part of an accountability campaign from employers ahead of a march scheduled for Friday. Singa emphasized that the organization's members remain mobilized and committed to demanding compliance with South African labor laws.
One of the issues raised by the organization was the claim that approximately 70% of the staff at the Shell gas station in Overport are foreign nationals, which, according to him, requires inspection by the relevant authorities. LLE calls on the authorities to verify compliance with all applicable labor and immigration laws.
Furthermore, the organization received complaints from workers at this gas station who reported violations of the minimum wage Act for petrol attendants, as well as the presence of illegally employed foreigners at the station.
Singa noted that discussions with the owner were unsuccessful. He stated that the gas station owner was very rude, which prompted the LLE members to speak in that tone. Since the owner provided no explanation, LLE is exercising its right to picket, planning to return to the gas station later this or next week.
He also reported that the organization's campaign focuses on ensuring labor law compliance, and they plan a march the following day to demand accountability and defend workers' rights.
In another video shared by LLE, National Coordinator Musa Mkhlongo speaks with police officers about conducting checks in restaurants for suspected illegal foreign workers. A police officer mentioned a planned operation on Friday at Romans Pizza and Frango's Peri-Peri on Sparks Road.
However, Imtiaz Syed, chairman of the Mayville Police Forum (CPF), disputed LLE's claims regarding the workforce at the Shell gas station. Syed clarified that the station's staff consists of 52 local employees and 10 foreign nationals who are legally in the country with work permits. He stated that LLE interprets the law at its discretion.
Syed also noted that the escalation in the video occurred due to alleged threats made against the business. He stressed that during the CPF meeting, the march was discussed, and the station commander reported that all participants agreed, but no entry was permitted.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has published a new guide clarifying the rules for employee health insurance, while emphasizing that it does not introduce any new obligations for employers.
The guide, released on Thursday, detailed existing procedures and showed how work permit approvals are now electronically linked to health insurance verification. It was clarified that employers cannot obtain or renew a work permit for an employee if that employee lacks valid health insurance coverage. The ministry's digital systems automatically check this status during the application process, which speeds up approvals and simplifies compliance.
The system covers both private and domestic workers. The guide strengthens several key guarantees for employed individuals. Firstly, it is established that the costs for subscription and renewal of insurance fall entirely on the employer, and employees should not contribute any funds towards this. Secondly, the insurance coverage must remain continuous throughout the entire validity period of the work permit and cannot be intermittent. Furthermore, employers are prohibited from canceling the policy during the permit's validity in a way that leaves the employee without coverage at any point of employment. Finally, the policy must comply with the minimum coverage standards set by the authorities.
The national health insurance system for all private sector and domestic workers was completed at the beginning of 2025. This followed a cabinet decision mandating coverage for workers in the northern emirates, based on the existing systems in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Until then, mandatory coverage was only required in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, leaving workers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah without legal protection.
To facilitate the transition, a basic health insurance package was introduced, with a cost starting from just 320 dirhams per year, covering individuals aged one to 64. The new guide is part of ongoing efforts to create a more transparent and clear regulatory framework. The digital system ensures sustainable health protection for workers and provides greater regulatory compliance, while also protecting the rights of all parties in employment relations and increasing the efficiency of public service delivery.
The president of the Foundation for Business Competitiveness (Fundec) of Mozambique publicly stated the need to establish quality jobs capable of providing income to workers.
This advocacy aims to achieve sustainable growth in wage levels, as the country currently faces low indicators in both employment and productivity.
