Chinese technology giant Huawei Technologies was on Monday taken to court by the South African government over allegations that it violated the country’s labour laws by employing more foreigners than locals.
According to court papers filed by South Africa’s Ministry of Labour, Huawei has breached the country’s laws by surpassing the more than the 40-percent foreign employee limit allowable under its operating license.
The company allegedly employs about 90 percent foreign nationals and only 10 percent locals.
South African law requires that at least 60 percent of all employees at a foreign-owned company should be locals.
“The department has determined that its cause of action is clear and that all transgressions have been committed,” the ministry said.
The Chinese firm faces a R1.5 million (about US$97,000) fine or two percent of its 2020 turnover if found guilty.
JN/APA